Midland League Results V Staffordshire 4 8 19
Midland League Results v Staffordshire - 4.8.19
1st Team at Blackwell GC on 4th August 2019 Pictured (standing l-r) Richard Sadler, Anthony Hill, Mark Dunkley, Kris Allen, Anthony Hill (front) Luke Rogers, Mark Dixon, Shaun Roberts, Steve Lane.
The 1st Team were at Blackwell GC. After being 3-2 down following the foursomes they eventually lost 9-6 to Staffordshire despite some battling efforts down the last hole from our players.
Click here for match score sheet.
Full report to follow.
2nd Team at Sandwell Park GC on 4th August 2019 Pictured (l-r) Dave McDermott (County Vice President), Nathan Slater, Jake Kelly, Tom Howells, Jack Severn, Duncan Macpherson (Non Playing Captain), Steve Bird, Lee Richardson, Craig Richardson, Paul Reeves, John Cullen & Bobby Campbell.
The 2nd Team were at Sandwell Park GC. Duncan MacPherson was non-playing Captain for this match and watched his team complete a nail biting victory to continue their 100% winning record this year. The match was halved after the foursomes but in their determination to win they edged the singles 5 1/2 to 4 1/2 to get over the line. The 2nd Team remain at the top of the league with one match left - Warwickshire on Sunday 1st September at Halesowen GC.
Click here for match score sheet.
The Worcestershire county 2nd teams 4th and penultimate match of the season was away at Sandwell Park against a strong Staffordshire side. Going into this match it was vital that we didn’t underestimate our opponents, who have not won a match this season. In fact, if you look at the results, this Staffs side have lost by the narrowest of margins in every match, such is the quality of all teams in the midland league. Deciding on being a non playing captain for this fixture and leaving it to the younger and fitter guys, with the exception of Paul Reeves and Lee Richardson, my aim was to enjoy the day and give on course encouragement throughout. The encouragement part was easy, the enjoyment part, not a chance! Out first in the foursomes were the fearless pairing of Jake Kelly and Nathan Slater who played some amazing golf and producing a great 2&1 victory against Staffs strongest pair. Next pair for Worcs was Jack Severn and Bobby Campbell who lost on the last 1 down. Unfortunately the next game also went to Staffs with Steve Bird and Tom Howells losing 2 down. The 4th pairing were seasoned veterans Lee Richardson and Paul Reeves who had a titanic match, being 1 down for most of their game by way of some outrageous chipping and putting by their opponents, but eventually battling to a well earned half. Finally the morning foursomes were rounded off with a comfortable win for John Cullen and Craig Richardson by 5&3. At lunch it was a fair result being 2 1/2 points for each team. The singles got underway with every team member in good spirits and in a confident mood to do what was necessary and give 100% to the cause. I watched all 10 players tee off the 1st before I wandered out onto the course. Through 7 holes it all looked promising with most matches in favour of Worcs, but golf has a habit of taking away all that you wish for. Kelly winning comfortably 6&5 was followed by a loss for Slater, another win for Severn was once more followed by a loss for Campbell. A win for Howells again followed by losses for both Lee and Craig Richardson. Now the enjoyment part was giving way to nervousness. ‘Cometh the moment, cometh the man!’ But in this instance, it was men. Bird being 1 down with 3 to play, rolled a snake of a putt in for birdie from 40ft to win the 16th, losing 17 and then winning 18 to gain the most valuable of halves. Reeves following up with a gritty 2&1 win left the match in the balance. Last game out saw Cullen being 1 down with 3 to play and again winning the 16th hole to go level followed by winning 17 to go 1 up. Needing to only half the last hole to gain victory for both himself and the team, the heavens proceeded to open with torrential rain and a strong wind into the players faces. Managing to get the ball onto a flooded green in 3, John 2 putted to half the hole and win 1 up, in doing so he gave team the needed victory by 1 solitary point. A 7-8 away win, from enjoyment to nervousness to euphoria! My thanks go to Sandwell Park for their hospitality and the excellent condition of the course, to county President David Mcgillivray who came to support us during the morning foursomes, to county Vice President Dave McDermott who has been with us always and most importantly to all my team who gave their all to grind out this win and make me proud to be their captain. Next up Warwickshire in the winner takes all decider. Duncan Macpherson County 2nd Team Captain