Johnny Harris would probably still have been wearing shorts but to many a swindler it was definitely brass monkey weather. Heavy conditions underfoot made scoring a bit of a challenge (the average points score across the field was only 29) so under the circumstances Paul Matthews' 38 points was a great performance. Not least because it inched him back into a 0.01 point lead over Mark on the RED leaderboard, with just one more week to count. They are both down to play in the team event next week, so in a battle royale befitting of this prestigious competition the equation is simple - Mark needs to outscore Paul if he is to take the 2024 title. No pressure there then!
Paul took home £21 for the win on the day; Gus snuck second place for £11 with 36 points (despite 3 blobs - really must learn to avoid those!) and "Mr Dependable" Stuart Insall delivered his customary 35 points for 3rd and £6. Unbelievably, count-back failed to separate both JC and The Boss on 19 points for the front 9 and PBI and Peter Creighton on 17 points for the back 9. A handsome £2.50 to each of them.
The BLUE leaderboard is also on a knife-edge. Don is in a pretty strong position at the head of the table since it would take a 9 point swing on the day for him to be overtaken. Unlikely but not impossible. Right behind Don though, Stuart, Tom and Kelvin are separated by only 0.04 points. Squeaky bum time! In a twist of fate, at the time of writing Don, Stuart and Kelvin have all been drawn in the same group for next week, whilst Tom's fate is out of his own hands as he's not down to play. Bring it on!
Final note - for anyone still wishing to contribute cash to Ian McDowell's leaving collection, Alex has kindly volunteered to take your money and pass it on to the Treasurers, so just collar him next time you see him.