Initial signs were good as all the players managed to devour the biggest bacon batches ever seen at a County match!

The foursomes line up saw the experience at the top of the order and the youth towards the rear. The all Maxstoke pairing of Antony Gascoigne and Steve Creed got us off to a great start with a solid 3&2 victory. Things were looking healthy behind with the all Harborne pairing of Chris and Charlie Staite dormie 2 up. An unfortunate 3 putt on the 17th meant the match went up Rugby's tough finishing hole. A Northants par 4 was sufficient to win the hole, meaning the match was halved.

Better news behind as the Atherstone duo of Gary Greenaway and Paul Walker defied the claims of rustiness. They were already in the clubhouse with their feet up after a 5&4 victory!

Harry Ibbertson (Coventry Hearsall) and Chris Freeman (Ladbrook Park) were comfortably up in their match until some strong play from their opposition had pegged them back. A birdie on the 16th then gave them a slim 1 hole lead. They then came to the 17th hole which was going to prove to be a very kind hole for Warwickshire. A scrambled par was enough to win the hole and take the match 2&1.

The Stoneleigh Deer Park pair of Shaun Young and Lloyd Jones played some steady golf, but 6 birdies from their opponents meant they went down 3&2. The final match of Rugby's Ollie Foster and our debutant Ryan Greeenwood (Stonebridge) were dormie 2 down.

The 17th was again kind to Warwickshire and a closing par up the 18th meant that they got out of their match with a half. Lunch was taken and tasted sweeter for Warwickshire as we held a 4-2 lead.

Both Captains had loaded the top of their orders with strength. The questions were:

Who would be the stronger?

and

Who had the greater strength in depth?

After Rugby's notorious par 3 9th hole things were looking grim at the top of the order. In the top six matches we were 2 down in four, four down in one and only Gary Greenaway was flying the Warwickshire flag as he was 3 up. There was better news in the bottom half of the order as we were up in four matches, all square in one match and only our debutant Ryan was down.

Then the Warwickshire fightback began at the top of the order. Antony was unable to get to Warwickshire's favourite 17th hole as went down 3&2, but successive matches saw the Warwickshire player win the 17th (many in unlikely circumstances).

Charlie Staite got his revenge from the morning as he fought back from dormie 2 down to get a half. Steve Creed was knocking the pins out - literally! He struck the pin on the 193 yard 14th hole, only to miss the 4 foot birdie putt.

He was then one down standing on the 18th tee, a pushed drive and a cut second shot meant he was faced with a tricky pitch over the bunker. A Micklesonesque flop shot saw the ball land 6 feet short and then bounce and roll right into the hole! His partners birdie chip just slid past and so an unlikely half was recorded.

Gary Greenaway maintained the control of his match running out a 3&2 winner, whilst Chris Staite struggled with his putter (usually his best friend). Chris claimed that he wasn't used to putting on such good greens as he is more familiar with putting on sand covered greens at the moment!

Harry Ibbertson was another Warwickshire player to win the 17th to go one up, but was not able to capitalise as he lost the 18th for a half. This meant that the top six matches yielded one win and three halves for Warwickshire - the two and a half points being much better than the one point that looked likely after 9 holes!

The bottom half of the order was to see more wins for Warwickshire. Chris Freeman battled for a half, then Paul Walker and Lloyd Jones held lengthy putts on our favorite 17th hole for wins. Ryan Greenwood turned his game around with some superb golf to win 7 holes on the trot from the turn and go from 3down to win 4&2.

Local boy Ollie Foster was always in control of his game and ran out a comfortable 4&2 winner. This just left Shaun Young 'out in the field'. A failing electric trolley meant that Shaun had to push it himself (as those of you who have had to do this will know, they are not designed for pushing!) The frustrations with his trolley were matched by the frustrations in his match and Shaun went down 2&1.

The singles had been won 7-5 by Warwickshire to give an overall result of 11-7. The score line slightly flattered the Warwickshire team, but reflects the fighting spirit shown by the Seconds.

My thanks go to Rugby Golf Club for their hospitality on the day. The golf course was in excellent condition (especially given the winter we have just seen) and the catering was top notch. Thanks also go to Phil Croft (Rugby Captain), Graham Hayes and John Duncombe for their support on the day.

We now look forward to our next friendly match against Leicestershire on Sunday 28th March at Cosby G.C. I only hope I will be a playing Captain for that match!