Warwickshire Golf
2nd Team Friendly v Northamptonshire
The second and final friendly for The Warwickshire 2nd Team saw us travel to Kingsthorpe GC, where we had played the same fixture just 2 years ago, and had unfortunately been on the receiving end of a convincing Northants victory, we therefore hoped for better this time around.
Things got off to a less than positive start with Match 1 going in Northants favour, Warwickshires Mike Pell (Olton GC) and Maxstoke’s Josh Davenport succumbing 3&2. News was better in match 2 with Harborne’s Steve Keay & Lee Podmore continuing their unbeaten streak to 3 games winning 4&2. Match 3 produced another Northants win, Morgan Jackson (Stratford on Avon) and Danny Launchbury (Coventry GC) unable to match their opponents steady golf losing 5&4. Matches 4 and 5 were far closer affairs with both matches reaching Kingsthorpe’s tricky par 4 18th hole. Warwickshire in Match 4 represented by brothers Chris & Charlie Staite (Robin Hood GC) were 1 downplaying the last and unfortunately would ultimately lose their game 2down, but in match 5 Handsworth’s Karl Smith and Maxstoke’s Dan Pearce were 1up, but would pay the price for a final hole bogey and halve their match. Still a note-worthy performance from County Junior Dan, on his County Mens debut.
3.5-1.5 down at lunch, a victory looked like a tall-order, and so it would prove…
Just as the afternoon singles a week earlier at Harborne had gone heavily in Warwickshire’s favour, the Northants Team performed valiantly and recorded an incredible 7 wins out of 10, only Mike Pell in Match 1, Lee Podmore in Match 5, and Karl Smith in Match 10 were able to stop the Northants tide with well fought half points.
Which all meant the team had been convincingly beaten 12-3, the difference had undoubtedly been getting to grips with a tricky Kingsthorpe lay-out, and dealing with the small, subtly sloping greens and testing hole-locations.
A huge thanks to the Warwickshire 2nd Team for the efforts and positivity throughout the day, despite a barrage of points going to Northants, the team spirit never faded, and some great golf was played in very tricky conditions. Thanks to Tom Burgh and his Northamptonshire 2nd Teamfor the match, we wish you the best for your league matches later this year.
Lastly, a big thanks to the Kingsthorpe Greenskeepers for the presentation of the golfcourse, and the clubhouse staff for looking after all concerned heroically all day.
ChrisLeonard
Warwickshire 2nd Team Captain
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