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ISIS CRICKET CLUB 2012 Ground: Queens College, Abingdon Road, Oxford |
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Last Update: 10/01/2012 © Keith Whiter, April 2003 k.whiter@elsevier.com |
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Wyder Cup 2011 |
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The Isis golf society pulled off a dramatic come-back on Saturday 22nd October at Hinksey Heights to claim the Wyder Cup trophy for only the second time in the history of the competition. Despite being four points in arrears after the morning 9-hole four-balls, the eight men of Isis fired on all cylinders in the afternoon singles to overcome the old adversary without losing a match. But there was nothing easy about the win, and all credit must go to the Wytham boys. They had dominated the mornings play to whitewash the pairs matches, and they pushed Isis all the way in the afternoon despite conceding shots in every round bar one.
The day started early with bacon sandwiches and coffee, as the two teams assembled in the clubhouse. The Captains selected their pairings and the stage was set for the competition to come as the players made their way to the first tea of The Spires course. Wytham were one man down, so the last of these matches was a three-ball. Isis optimism was quickly checked as strong Wytham pairings combined big hitting with excellent course management within difficult course conditions. The Isis golfers fought bravely though, and all of these matches stayed close all of the way and three out of four were decided on the ninth green. But it was Wytham who held their nerve and brought home points in every game, including a win for a determined Bob Werlinger who was the lone Wytham player in the final match.
During a hasty lunch the afternoon handicaps were established from the morning scores, and the players were soon making their way to the Championship course for the afternoon singles. In the first match, Dave Lawrence and Nick Hardy found themselves in a three-ball with Paul Rippon, playing from scratch. Morning leaders Jonathan Ponsford and Keith Whiter followed against Chuck Berry and Bpb Werlinger respectively. They were in turn followed by Richard Stephenson against Mark Collonese and Lester Whitby against D.J. And bringing up the rear Will Green took on Felix Roper, playing with Keith Ponsford against John LeHarne. It was probably not until the parallel fifteenth and sixteenth holes that captains Whiter and Werlinger were able to check on progress, where it emerged that Isis had already secured points in the Jonathan Ponsford, Will Green and Richard Stephenson rounds and were guaranteed a half in the three-ball. All the other matches hung in the balance, either all square or with one hole in it, and a close finish was assured. None of the matches in play could follow the remaining progress though and there was all to play for. The Isis pairing secured their point on the sixteenth green in the three-ball to bring the overall scores level. In the next round Bob Werlinger had fought back to go ahead with one hole to play, but Keith Whiter finished strongly to par the last hole and secure a half. Lester Whitby and D.J. were all-square going down the last and onto the final green, but it was Whitby who held his nerve to make the winning putt. Isis led 51/2 - 41/2 as the final round reached its conclusion. As it happened Keith Ponsford led John LeHarne by one into the eighteenth, but they were not to know, and the Wytham spirit was personified when LaHarne sank a 30-foot putt to half and leave the final result at Isis 6 to Wytham’s 5.
Round after round, as the players gathered to regale stories of their rounds, the match results were announced but there was still some time before with dawning realisation Isis faces turned to smiles and the most unlikely of wins was confirmed. It was most fitting that Wytham’s Chuck Berry and Bob Werlinger, who had played so valiantly throughout the day, should pick up the nearest-the-pin and longest drive awards respectively. Wytham awarded their player of the day award to Paul Rippon while Keith Ponsford took the Isis award for a brilliant half against LaHarne, the scourge of many an Isis man over the years, with only a three-shot advantage. And so, with obvious reluctance Bob Werlinger presented the coveted trophy to Keith Whiter and the day ended with a traditional post-match curry for the die-hards of both teams.
A fantastic day had ended, but the smiles of the Isis victors will surely be etched on their faces for days to come. Hats off to Will Green, Richard Stephenson and Lester Whitby for beating very strong opponents, but knowing that if Isis has dropped one more half-point that the cup would still be in Wytham’s hands, to a man the Isis team can feel extremely proud of a marvellous turn-around to secure the honours.
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