As the other Pluggers' seasons went from strength to strength Feathers cut a sad figure around Northenden GC as his early season slump continued. The majestic swing that had seen him halve a classic match with Duffy in April was a shadow of its former self as he scrawked, slapped and scuttled his way round the Mersey course. Even the famous short game was absent as scores in the mid-eighties became commonplace. There were glimpses of his trademark up and downs from the most unlikely spots, but these were usually for double bogeys. His frustration was evident on the thirteenth during one especially trying medal when a pushed seven iron was followed by a fit of rage and the offending club was hurled against his bag. Predictably the club snapped in two and embarrassed, Feathers stuffed the two halves into his bag. It was a sad culmination of the demise of this former Yorkshire great and goes to prove how fickle the gods of fortune can be. It is to be hoped that his form can re-surface or he could be looking at inheriting the Pluggers' Wooden Spoon from Duffy come Scotland in the autumn.