Ooh so close!

I won a meccano set when I was 10. Last night I nearly won something else. 2nd in the club handicap, just over 22' for about 3.3m. Set off quite near the back and, because it was an out and back, I could see how many people were in front by about the half-way point.

As I picked through them I realised I was on for a place. One more fast person to get and someone I knew I could catch. With about 1/2 mile to go I realised I'd overtaken Gareth but not shaken him off. He took me back again and there was not much I could do about it. A long way from fastest — some bloke's very talented son did 17', but with a miserable handicap to claw back.

Bottle of wine prize and free fish and chips for everyone. Splendid!