There was a crash on the roof, some shuffling around the chimney and a few expletives drowned out by Cody’s barking. Eventually it subsided but then the door bell rang which set Cody off again. Warily opening it, I saw three recognizable shapes lurking in our front garden. Rudolph (for it was he) had that self satisfied look that those with red noses so often have and was prancing about doing some recognizable impersonations of a forehand (he switches the racket Lyons style to avoid the complications of a backhand). He proffered me a thumbdrive and gestured with a shrug of the antlers at Donner & Blitzen who seemed far more interested in the vegetation than demonstrating correct positioning for a return of serve. He muttered (as those with red noses are prone to mutter) that he would be busy for a few days but back in touch looking for a game in the New Year. I asked about his handicap, but was met with the reply that surely the other 8 and the big guy were handicap enough. Living in a neghbourhood where chatting with reindeer attracts funny looks even at this time of year, I promised I’d put his handicap into RTO and work out the odds for our game. Wishing them seasons greetings, I retrieved the dog and opened up the thumbdrive….

Congratulations, Mike, Anthony & Gillian, you are the ‘Leaders of the Pack’ in the early going of the 2017 JB!