IT was success all the way for Andover Golf Club in last year's National Nines with the town club's team qualifying for the finals after winning the regional event.

However, this year there was to be no repeat for the Andover team of Roger Stevens, Neil Davis and Wayne Carn of last year's success as they went out of the competition to Bishopwood in almost impossible playing conditions.

If it had been any other competition apart from the National Nines qualifier the course would have been closed. Andover club captain Roy Wilson said the competition was played in atrocious weather conditions with the greens awash with water. The course was extremely boggy and with strong winds and rain the clubhouse was an extremely inviting prospect for those who took part.

For the record the team scored a total of 68 points, which was actually quite respectable when compared with many other scores. However the town club will have to wait another year before trying to qualify once again.

Andover's lady captain Margaret Ashley, who seems to be thorougly enjoying her role, partnered her husband Frank when the Andover Mixed team recently played hosts to Basingstoke.

Although the Andover team was beaten 3-2, the day was enjoyed by all those who took part. In the top match Margaret and Frank Ashley went down 3&2 to a strong Basingstoke pairing but the in-form Sarah Bulpitt and her partner Mike Mills produced some fine golf to win their match 5&4.

Basingstoke took the honours in the third match with the home club's Wendy and Dave Plummer putting up a valiant fight before losing by one hole whilst Andover's fourth pair of Chris Bown and Liz Eames scored another excellent 5&4 victory to square the match. It was all down to the final pair but the visiting combination proved just too strong with them clinching overall honours with a 4&3 win over Ann and Martin Bennet. Results were as follows: Andover 2, Basingstoke 3: Margaret Ashley (27) and Frank Ashley (28) lost to Anne Bates (29) and Dave Newman (9) 3&2; Sarah Bulpitt (35) and Mike Mills (14) beat Chryssa Henson (21) and Fred Galbraith (13) 5&4; Wendy Plummer (23) and Dave Plummer (15) lost to Jeanette Payne (26) and Chester Bates (11) 1 down; Liz Eames (41) and Chris Bown (15) beat Ann Dunmore (16) and Colin Spargo (17) 5&4; Ann Bennet (40) and Martin Bennet (8) lost to Joan Spargo (22) and Eric Dunmore (15) 4&3.

A strong Andover team to put up a good fight but were beaten 3-2 in their recent annual fixture with Newbury. Club cpatain Roy Wilson's partner for this match was Roger Stevens but unfortunately the home pairing proved to be too strong,winning 3&2.

Andover vice-captain Tony Drake and past captain Ivor Bulpitt looked to be a good pairing on paper but on grass it was a different story with them losing 4&3.

The best result of the day went to Kenneth Harley and Neil Davis who stormed to a 5&4 victory and this was followed by another win for Andover with Mervyn Perry and Dave Stewart winning 2&1. Once again the last match was crucial but it was not to be with Rob Long and Stephen Leathley losing 2&1. Resuls were as follows:

Newbury 3, Andover 2:: Roy Wilson (14) and Roger Stevens (8) lost to M Passey (14) and G Gee (11) 3&2; Tony Drake (15) and Ivor Bulpitt (16) lost to P Hutchins (14) and D Mavis (11) 4&3; Kenneth Harley (10) and Neil Davis (9) beat B How (16) and K Lock (14) 5&4; Mervyn Perry (7) and Dave Stewart (13) beat C Brown (14) and G Purton (14) 2&1; Robert Long (3) and Stephen Leathley (16) lost to A. Lock (11) and T. Murtlock (16) 2&1.

The final of the Bennet & Brearley mixed 4-ball better ball competition, a trophy kindly donated to the town club a few years ago by former captains Martin Bennet and Lynne Brearley, often sees husband and wives battling it out against each other.

This year's final saw the Deardens on opposite sides with Arthur Dearden partnering lady captain Margaret Ashley whilst Ann Dearden teamed up with Dave Plummer. The steely determination of Arthur Dearden and the silky skills of Margaret Ashley triiumphed on this occasion with them winning on the 15th green for a deserved victory.

In the Andover Ladies section June Marks headed the field in the Age Concern Stableford with a fine score of 34 points and now qualifies to represent the club in the regional event. Runner-up was Sarah Bulpitt with 32 points on the back nine from Liz Eames.

Pam Moore defied the wet and windy conditions to win the Charity Cup with a +4 score in the difficult 'par' format competition. Runner-up was Wendy Plummer with +2 and the handicaps of both players were cut accordingly.

This did not deter Wendy who the following week went on to win the May Medal with a net score of 73. Runner-up was Sarah Bulpitt, pipping Doreen Fisher on the back nine.

Doreen made amends in the monthly Stableford to win with a score of 32 points, closely followed by Mary Fluen on 31 points.

Last month's bad weather continued to wreak havoc at the start of the ladies friendly fixtures with the first match away at Bramshott Hill being cancelled due to a waterlogged course. However, the continued fine condition of the Andover course meant that the two scheduled home matches were able to go ahead. The match against Alton resulted in a 2-2 draw - a fair result considering the awful conditions - whilst the home fixture against Tylney Park resulted in a 2-1 win for Andover in another close match. Margaret Ashley and her partner Pam Moore won 2&1; Audrey Welfare and Lesley Compton gained a half, Wendy Rennison and Sylvia Machin were beaten but Bridget Quilliam and Mary Fluen made a splendid recovery to come from three holes down to win the final match on the 18th green to secure Andover's victory.

In other competitions Andover Ladies have made a promising start to this year's Stoneham Cup campaign, with Andover having won both their home matches 5-2 against Dunwood Manor and Bishopswood in the first round. Results were as follows:

Andover 5, Bishopswood 2: Nicki Rusher (14) lost on the 19th hole; Sue Davis (19) won on the 19th hole; Ann Dearden (20) lost 7&6; Mandie Scott (21) won 5&4; Lorraine Collis (23) won 4&3; Audrey Welfare (23) won 3&2; Wendy Plummer (23) won 3&2.

Andover 5, Dunwood Manor 2: Nicki Rusher (14) won 1 up; Sue Davis (19) won 2 up; Ann Dearden (20) lost 1 down; Liz Paul (20) won 3&2; Mandie Scott (21) won 4&3; Audrey Welfare (23) won 3&2; Wendy Plummer lost 3&2.

Mandie and Jodie Scott have certainly mastered the art of the foursomes game and have continued to progress through the early rounds of both the Knight Cup and the Daily Mail Foursomes. Playing at home against Barton on Sea in the Knight Cup, they won by a margin of 6&4 to progress to the third round where they have been drawn away to Cams Hall. An even more impressive performance saw them win away at Alton in the Daily Mail Foursomes by a margin of 5&4.

Results did not go so well in the other national competitions. Sue Davis lost at the 19th hole away at Worldham Park in the Net Club Champions competition but the ladies' 'Mail on Sunday' team ran out 4-0 victors against a strong South Winchester team away, despite all the matches being close.

There was an error in the recemt report the Andover club's Presidents Day. Neil Davis actually won the Machin Putter and not the Fairfoull Putter, apologies to all concerned.