Warwickshire Golf
Men’s 1st Team wins at Longcliffe against Leicestershire & Rutland
County friendlies are crucial preparation for the Midland League season ahead and our visit to Longcliffe GC to face a strong Leicestershire team gave an excellent test for the following ten players selected for the Men’s 1st Team:
Louis Sanders (Copt Heath)
Alex Ford (Copt Heath)
Tom Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall)
Luke Allen (Olton)
Stuart Bloxham (Coventry Hearsall)
Ian Smith (The Warwickshire)
Chris Laird (The Warwickshire)
Dan Bardsley (Moor Hall)
Steve Creed (Stratford Upon Avon)
Gary Skipp (Robin Hood)
A bright but chilly day greeted the players at a course unfamiliar to the Warwickshire team but the opening foursomes pairing of Copt Heath duo Alex Ford & Louis Sanders seemed comfortable from the start being Level after 7 and then winning 8 & 9 to take a 2up lead into the back nine. They held firm and won by 4&3. Second pairing out was Tom Ibbertson & Luke Allen. Good scoring created a comfortable 4up lead after 7 holes however the L&R pairing are very accomplished 1st team players and pushed hard to get back in the match reducing the lead to 3up with 6 to play. Tom and Luke played under par golf for the last 6 holes but 4 birdies from the 13th onwards including 16, 17 & 18 resulted in a quality halved match.
Match 3 featured Stuart Bloxham and 1st team debutant Ian Smith. A couple of early 3-putts gifted L&R a front nine 3up lead and with solid par golf from the Leicestershire pairing gave Stuart & Ian little chance to comeback resulting in Leicestershire’s first full point of the morning. Chris Laird & Dan Bardsley lost the Par 3 first hole but turned things around with steady scoring to finish the front nine one ahead. A very tight match looked like going all the way and it did resulting in another halved match. The final morning foursomes saw Steve Creed partner new 1st team squad member Gary Skipp. A rock steady front nine produced a 2up lead, followed with further wins early in the back nine to go 4up. 3&2 would be the final result giving Warwickshire a welcome 3-2 lead at lunch.
The afternoon Singles began with Louis Sanders battling back from being 1 down after 9 to stand on the 18th tee 1up. A controlled tee shot, approach shot to 5 feet, the putt was conceded when his opponent failed to make birdie. Well done, Louis!!
Alex Ford had a very tough match against Richard Wale, 2 down after 7 meant Alex needed to push. It did not happen and the L&R man closed the match on the 14th green. Ian Smith’s welcome into 1stteam golf was not made easy with Leicestershire stalwart Steve Sansome throwing birdie after birdie at Ian. After 12 holes Ian was -4 and 2 down following Steve’s 6 birdies. L&R deservedly took the point by 2&1. Great try Ian, other matches will be easier, l promise!!
Coventry Hearsall players Tom Ibbertson and Stuart Bloxham played in matches 4 & 5 respectively. Both were tight matches, but Leicestershire got up early in both and never relented closing both games on the 16th green. This meant the match score stood at:
Leicestershire 6 Warwickshire 4
Olton’s Luke Allen produced a run of birdies in the middle of the front 9 to create a 4up lead, he would not take the foot of the pedal and produced a very solid 5&4 win. Gary Skipp looked comfortable in the 1st team environment and held a 1up lead after 7 holes. That score reversed after 12 holes and it was game on. Gary battled hard to get the match up the 18th and produced a fantastic 40ft two putt to win 1up. Great victory Gary, well done!
Matches 9 and 10 involved Chris Laird and Steve Creed. Chris did not do too much wrong but found himself 3 down after 8. As expected, Chris fought hard and reduced the deficit to 1 down after 12. His opponent stayed firm and won 3&2. Creedy shared birdies with this opponent on a few occasions during a high-quality match but was ultimately too strong for the L&R anchor man producing a very comfortable 4&3 victory. We put Steve there for a reason and he rarely disappoints.
Match score stood level at 7 – 7 with one match left on the course.
Dan Bardsley from Moor Hall is a tough, gritty performer and never easy to beat. He would cruise to a 3up lead after 6 holes but then find himself back all square after 12. Again, Dan would create a 2up lead with 2 to play but a birdie on 17 from the L&R man took the match up the short par 4 18th. With the honour the L&R man hit it left into trouble, a calm Dan found the fairway and green and then rolled the putt close. After a missed par putt Dan was conceded his par putt giving Warwickshire the final point of the singles and a match victory by 8 points to 7.
My thanks to James and his Leicestershire team for a great battle all day, it could have gone either way. Our appreciation to Longcliffe GC for hosting this fixture and providing an enjoyable test. The food was excellent and enjoyed by all.
My personal thanks to Warwickshire President Mark Reynolds and his wife Deb for their usual support, ball spotting and help to keep me calm! Thank you!!
An excellent start to the year ahead with an away win, we host Northamptonshire on Sunday 24thApril at Stratford Oaks GC next. All support is welcome.
Karl Smith
County Captain
Score card and photo to follow
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