Warwickshire Golf
Men’s 2nd Team Seek Revenge
After 2 successful friendly matches, the 2nd team kicked off the league campaign against Shropshire & Herefordshire at Handsworth G.C. on Sunday 8th May. Shropshire & Herefordshire had given us an absolute hammering in the match last year and we were after revenge. After a few last minute call ups, the selected team was:
Cameron Bridger Maxstoke Park
Chris Laird The Warwickshire
Joe McInnes Robin Hood
Lewis Watson Handsworth
Mark Williams Stratford On Avon
Niall Collins Robin Hood
Rhys Wallace Handsworth
Richard Bush Coventry
Steve Keay Harborne
Stuart Bloxham Coventry Hearsall
Unfortunately Chris Staite was taken ill over the weekend and he asked me to take on the Captaincy duties on his behalf. This gave us another reason to get a win for Team Warwickshire.
After the standard coffee and bacon rolls, the foursomes began.
Our order was:
Stuart & Chris
Cameron & Niall
Steve & Rhys
Richard & Mark
Lewis & Joe
After 3 holes we were up in 2 matches, all square in 2 and down in just 1 game – a promising start to our revenge!
I then moved over to the 8th green to watch the games come through and news was slightly less rosy. Stuart & Chris remained all square, Cam & Niall had let a hole slip to be all square, Steve & Rhys had also let a hole slip to be just 1 up, Rich & Mark were now 1 down and the bottom match remained 2 down. I gave each group a pep talk and then moved over to the 14th green to see how the matches progressed.
After the 14th Stu & Chris had taken a 2 up lead, Cam & Niall we were 1 down as were Steve & Rhys. Rich & Mark were all square and Lewis & Joe were 1 up. It was clear all the games were probably going to go down to the wire.
Stuart & Chris maintained their lead and won 2&1, a score line that was reversed in Lewis & Joe’s match. All the other three matches went down the par 5 18th. Unfortunately the 18th proved to be a strong hole for S&H in the morning as their pairings won it in each of the 3 matches – meaning that we halved the Cam/Niall match and lost both the Steve/Rhys and Richard/Mark matches by 1 hole.
At lunch we were 3½ - 1½ down, our revenge mission wasn’t looking so good at this point.
I decided to shuffle our order around a bit in an attempt to avoid pairing up players from the morning – thus minimising any psychological advantage the S&H players may have had from playing the same players they had beaten in the morning. We also needed to get off to a quick start to get the momentum back.
Whilst I was moving to the back of the 9th green after starting all the groups off, positive news was coming from the course that Warwickshire had the honour in 7 of the 10 matches on the 4th tee – so another promising start, we just needed to maintain things unlike the morning.
As the groups came through the 9th I was delighted to hear that we were definitely maintaining the momentum as the scores were:
Stuart 3up
Cam 7 up
Chris 1 down
Rhys 2 up
Niall 2 up
Steve all square
Lewis 3 down
Joe 4 up
Mark 1 up
Richard 2 up
If we could stop the match at this point the comeback would be complete and revenge gained! However, we all know too well how easy it is to let things slip – as we had proved in the morning foursomes.
The 9th green is a great vantage point as you are also by the 14th green. As the later games were coming through the 9th I was pleased to see both Stuart (6&5) and Cam (9&7) walk back to join us behind the 9th green – the first 2 games were won and the overall match score was back level.
After the 14th we were up in 5 matches, all square in one and down in just 2 of the remaining 8 matches on the course. We then were getting reports as matches completed and we made our way over to the 18th to support any matches coming down the stretch. Chris had lost 3&2, Rhys birdied both the 17th and 18th to win 1 up, Niall had gained another valuable half and Steve had won 2&1.
So, we had our noses in front when I got to the 18th green to watch Lewis finish his match – sadly he was unable to make the required birdie and lost 1 down – so the match was even at 6 points each. At this point I was delighted to see Joe, Mark and Richard all walking in down the 18th all 3 having won their matches – the tail had truly wagged. We had won the singles 7½ to 2½ to make the overall match score 9-6 in our favour, a remarkable comeback.
And now, the usual thanks as follows:
To Richard Pearson and his S&H team for playing the match in a fantastic spirit, I wish them well for the rest of the season.
To Charles and Greg from S&H for the support of their side, but also appreciating good play from the Warwickshire lads too.
To Handsworth G.C. for their hospitality and letting us use their facilities.
To the Warwickshire players for their great camaraderie and skill – especially to Lewis, Mark and Richard for coming in at late notice.
Special thanks to Joe for also coming and short notice and making his 2nd team debut after moving up from Boys golf.
To Michael Bridger for acting as my assistant Captain and giving updates from the course as the matches progressed.
To John Stubbings for supporting the team on the day.
Finally to Captain Chris for doing all the preparation for the day, I was delighted to cheer him up by providing him with positive updates – especially in the afternoon singles!
Our next match is on Sunday 12th June at Rugby G.C. against Staffordshire, here’s hoping we can maintain the winning form.
Neville Gardner
Acting 2nd Team Captain
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