The Swindlers vs. The Ladies
2026
The fifth Swindlers vs. The Ladies match took place during the afternoon of Friday 28 August with twelve players from each team.
The format was men playing off the blue tees and ladies off the red with 85% course handicap. 4BBB Stableford points counted for each team with the sum of the Stableford points being the winner.
With thunderstorms forecast there was always a risk that the match would be called in. As we reached the halfway point for most matches, the heavens opened with a biblical downpour and thunder crackling around the course. A chap was noticed building an Ark behind the 10th green. The 9th green rapidly developed a couple of water features. On checking the status at the halfway hut, groups 3 & 4 were told to stay out on the course and take shelter if necessary! However, group 2 called the office on the 11th and were told to leave the course - when the message reached the later groups the weather had improved immeasurably - no rain and clear skies - so we stayed out.
The Ladies scored more than the Swindlers in three of the six matches but by a small margin. The big delta - 12 points in one match and 5 in another proved decisive!
Match 1.
Lynn Stephens & Fiona Browning vs. Bryn Owen & Simon Hill
Match 2.
Lorraine Toogood & Sue Vincent vs. Tim Horan & Scott Browning
Match 3.
Karen Armstrong & Joanne Fawthrop vs. Colin Reardon &
Adam Witherington
This was a very close match with Karen and Joanne deadly on the greens which enabled them to post a stonking 24 points on the front 9 - helped by Karen's 4-pointer par on the 7th! Colin and Adam dovetailed well and recovered after their paltry 1 point on the first to be just one behind at the turn. The Swindlers managed to draw level halfway through the back 9 but Karen's par on the 17th and Colin & Adam unable to get better than 1 point on the 18th gave them a one-point win - 41 to 40. Great fun and good banter all the way round.
(Colin)
Match 4.
Pat Deacon & Chris Goss vs. Simon Lloyd & Simon Cook
Kryssie Bennett & Pat Hilton vs. Nick Hayward & Les Bygrave
Match 6.
Alison Gatford & Jan West vs. Brad Bygrave & Roger Keen
Final results:
| Ladies | Points | Swindlers | Points |
| Lynn Stephens & Fiona Browning (10 holes) |
25 | Bryn Owen & Simon Hill |
24 |
| Lorraine Toogood & Sue Vincent (10 holes) |
20 | Tim Horan & Scott Browning |
23 |
| Karen Armstrong & Joanne Fawthrop |
41 | Colin Reardon & Adam Witherington |
40 |
| Pat Deacon & Chris Goss |
35 | Simon Lloyd & Simon Cook |
40 |
| Kryssie Bennett & Pat Hilton |
29 | Nick Hayward & Les Bygrave |
41 |
| Alison Gatford & Jan West |
38 | Brad Bygrave & Roger Keen |
37 |
| 188 | 205 |
Congratulations to the Swindlers on their third consecutive win. 