For the first time in history the Stoke team take overall lead after the closest result ever, with the result in the balance up to the final hole.

Saturday Fourball

In wet conditions on day 1 of PC9 the Stokies showed superiour mental toughness to overcome the Valites and more importantly the weather to take the important first point.

Charl got the Red & White off to a great start with a nice par on the first after a smart approach, but the Vale levelled on the 3rd with a par from the Ozman. An impressive performance on the stroke index 1 5th saw Martin, Rob and Si all made pars on this interesting uphill dogleg hole. The 6th was a long downhill par 3 and was won by Si with his stroke on Martin as Rich and Rob made one of many visits to the trees.

At this point the rain began to fall and was not to let up for the rest of the round which was a shame. A win for Rich on the 7th and Charl on the 9th put the Stokies into a 1 hole lead at the turn. In awful conditions Rich managed to keep scoring respectably as the other 3 players struggled. The players reached the 13th tee all square at what appeared to be a short par 3 with an elevated green but which turned out to be a comedy hole with the pin positioned on a slope comparable with the north face of the Eiger which made putting an utter farce. A gentle tap from Charl went way past the hole and ended up in a bunker: any downhill putt which remained on the green was considered an immense achievement. Somehow Rich managed to get the ball into the hole in just 5 for the win.

After that wins from Rich on 15 and 16 as the Vale's will to fight completely collapsed allowed the Stokies to seal the win 3 & 2 and all players to head for the refuge of the hotel and some dry clothes.

Sunday Singles

After a lively night out in Stratford the players were in various states of health for a bright and early tee off for the crucial Sunday singles. Fortunately the weather had changed completely and the final day of this great tournament was able to be played in perfect sunny and warm autumn conditions.

This reviewer has unfortunately forgotten many of the details of the game, but distinctly remembers being very excited to hole single putts on the first 4 holes, from distances of 8 to 25 feet. In fact both Stoke players were going well and were 2 up at the turn, although the games were competitive.

Unusually the Vale managed to show some fighting spirit on the back nine and despite another comedy putting exercise at the 13th both games were level after 16 holes, but the Valeys needed outright wins in both games to take the trophy. Charl got his tee shot over the water at the front of the green but some terrible putting at the crucial moment allowed Si to take the hole with a bogey. Rich's drive caught the edge of the lake, and despite finding his ball in the mud and contorting his body to have several hacks at it without falling in the water, was unable to complete the hole. So Vale went to the 18th up in both games and the trophy in their grasp.

But Rich was totally confident of winning the last and was not afraid to say so on the 18th tee. And a decent straight drive put the pressure on Rob who drove poorly left. Charl appeared to be in the lake but was fortunate to find his ball on the very edge of the water, and despite a poor second managed to get up and down well for a 6. Si 3-putted for a 7 but by that point it was academic as Rich held his nerve to make a solid 5 to retain the cup as Curtis blew up with an 8.

Player of the weekend: Rich played best in the rain and his confident prediction on the last hole will live long in Potter Cup folklore.

Facilities: Huge rooms and not being run by utter morons made this a pleasant if rather quiet PC venue.

Course: pleasant and undulating but spoiled by the ridiculous unplayable 13th green.

Clothes: again nothing memorable, Baker's new slacks was the pick of a poor bunch.

Handicapping: absolutely spot on as was proved by both singles matches being halved.

Potter cup: The closest ever with the result in the balance until the final hole. Glorious victory for the Potters means they lead 5-4 overall, Vale have never been the same since Oz threw the trophy into a bunker at Keele.