'They both did well in the Trials', said Simpson, 'Andrew obviously winning that event. I was very pleased for them both.'

The foursomes went to our County 3.15 to 1.5 with wins for Rory Kirwan & Chris Doughil, Jack Sant & Steven Mumford and a half for Dan Baskott and Geraghty. The other point came from a conceded match when a Worcestershire player did not arrive until lunchtime.

The singles started with a string of big wins for Kirwan, Ben Bernamont and Sam Dodds. Geraghty shook hands a winner on the 17th and the overall match win was achieved when firstly Steve Mumford then James Smith both took their singles on the 18th.

The next match is against Derbyshire, followed by Staffordshire in the Summer and finally, possibly the 'crunch' match against last year's Midland League winners Shropshire & Herefordshire.

'That was a very good performance?, said Graham Hargreaves after his side beat a slightly under strength Somerset 11 points to 4, this annual friendly clashing with the West of England Championships.

'We played the Tour course off the stones so it was 7213 yards', added Hargreaves, 'and it was really good fun.

'Somerset are fantastic opposition and my Boys did the business - it was a case of my Top 5 playing their bottom five but there were lots of 4/3s and they did the job taking 4.5 points out of 5.'

It was a winning morning?s start after a 3-2 performance in the foursomes, play starting at 7.30am, before the hotel guests made their way onto this famous Championship course. Only Bill Nicolson lost in the singles as he wasn't quite on the form which has already seen the past County Captain play a significant part in previous 2006 friendly matches.

The team was (in foursomes pairings) - Andy Sullivan & Ben Stafford, Gareth Jenkins & Antony Gascoigne, David Hayes & Neil Taylor, Nicolson & Ben Senior and Louis Meryon & Rob Browning. They were some of 43 players that Hargreaves and 2nds Captain Nick Clifford have used in a 5-0 series of friendly wins to start this Centenary Season.

'I have a major selection meeting with Nick early this week', said Hargreaves, 'Its going to be very difficult slotting players into each team. We are contacting everyone vs their availability over the season.

'Our goal is to win both Midland titles. We have some serious quality in team Warwickshire and if I can get them playing at the peak of their ability, we have a perfect opportunity.

'There will be players who want to play in the 1sts who we will need to play in the 2nds. We greatly increase our chances of achieving our goals if everyone is upbeat about wherever they play.

'I will sit down with Nick on the evening of the Centenary Amateur to finalise the selections for the first round of matches that first weekend in June. This start is very encouraging - but there is a long way to go.'