Big Comeback for the 1sts

David Westwood - County Captain - Monday, 5 September, 2011

1st V Shropshire & Herefordshire 04/09/2011 - Our latest match of the season took us deep into Hereford to the Herefordshire Golf Club due to the distance this involved a night's stay over and we took advantage of a practice round Saturday afternoon. Following a very long journey due to motorway roadwork's some 3hrs later we arrived at a sunny Herefordshire this was a new venue for all but one of the team and even then Karl had only played 10 holes a few years ago before rain stopped play.

So knowing nothing what so ever about the course other than Karl saying it was fairly flat, we set out on a much needed practice round!

This proved to be crucial as several holes were blind due to the enormous hills we had to climb (an early Karl memory loss), one hole so much that all three (Karl/Richard & myself) all using on Karl's local knowledge aimed at a supposedly marker post in the distance, with our each hitting three of our straightest drives only to find out that the post was in fact an out of bounds post (thank you Karl!)>

The team got a valuable insight to the course and would help Sunday's outcome.

Sunday soon came following a 'steady' night out in Leominster and several aspirins later I sent out our foursome pairings.

First out were Tom Ibbertson & Jamie Carney playing against one of Herefords' best players Ashley Chesters and his partner - they came up against many birdies and despite being well under par they lost out on the last hole 1 down.

Rob Browning & Chris Doogs (Dougill) had a similar story to tell and together with our side showing true sportsmanship when conceding a hole due to an unclear ruling, they eventually lost out 2&1.

Surely the third match surely must give us a point?

Almost was the answer when Ryan Wallace & Elliott Forbes came in with a halved match. Next were Steve Creed & Richard Oddy looking for a win to bolster confidence but sadly not this time as a 3&2 (another)loss meant things were not looking good.

The last game out was Karl Smith & myself had we some good news for the team with a sudden rush of 4 under for the last 9 holes to gave us a 3&2 win.

Once again we lost out in the foursomes, a result that happens so much now that when we have at least a point I look on this as some kind of victory!

The eventual morning score was 3.5 to 1.5 to S&H.

My Lunchtime team talk was all about asking for early points on the board and convincing Steve Creed he was good enough to beat anyone on the team. The order of play needed to be just right to give us some momentum so when I asked if anyone specifically wanted to go out Number 1 Rob immediately said yes he would and get the point we needed, and that is exactly what Rob did going round in 5 under to beat S&H number 1 Ashley Chesters 4&3.

Doogs & Tom both followed quickly with winning points winning 1up & 2up, so an early fight back looked a possibility.

Jamie took his match down the last but lost out to some strong golf from his opponent but we soon regained the momentum with a win from me to give us 4 points from the first five.

From my finishing position on 15 I stood by and watched matches come through with good news stories from all. Karl was next to come through and he was up but he eventually lost out despite a birdie on the last when this was matched by his opponent to win 1up.

Ryan was next and with a solid performance against S&H's most experienced player (a match I hoped Ryan would get when choosing the order as I had a feeling Ryan could win this one) and so he did 3&2 taking us to 6.5 points of the 8 required for the win.

The one result we were all waiting for was for Steve Creed, desperate for his first singles point for the 1st team.

Steve promised at lunch that if he won he would streak around the outside of the clubhouse, so when 2 up with 2 to play and then two shots any pro would have been proud of leaving Steve 6ft from the hole and looking at a birdie, this was all that was needed as his opponent conceded giving Steve and the team the point that guaranteed at least a half.

Richard finally sealed our victory when also playing the 17th hit two excellent shots and a solid par to take a 1up lead to the last hole 1up guaranteeing us at least the half, his playing partner managed to win the last but Richard's half gave us the winning point

Finally with the whole team supporting Elliott up 17 he cruised to victory playing the good golf he is capable of winning 3&1.

It was a magnificent turn around once again, and win left the S&H captain understandably shell shocked but John was very gracious commending us on the success.

Thank you to the S&H team and The Herefordshire club for a superb welcome and hospitality over the two days.

Thanks once again to John Powell for his continued support and on course updates and thank you Pete Clarke for booking a very good hotel and one in a town with plenty of night life (for the younger team members anyway!)

Most of all though my thanks go to my team who showed what passion they have for the county coming out in the afternoon session determined to win each match.

This will now put us in the correct mind set for the County finals later this month at Ganton.

Finally I know you are all wondering - no Creedy did not keep his word and streak around the club house (thankfully. He decided a life time ban from county golf too much to bear.

Full Results

Tom Ibbertson & Jamie Carney lost 1 down Ashley Chesters & Matt Birch

Rob Browning & Chris Doogs lost 2&1 Will Jones & Jon Devereux

Elliott Forbes & Ryan Wallace halved with Andy Stephenson & Kris Williams

Richard Oddy & Steve Creed lost 3&2 Alex Allen & Nigel Chesters

Karl Smith & Dave Westwood won 3& 2 Barry Ruddick & Sean McCarthy

AM Result 3.5 to 1.5 to S&H

Rob Browning won 4&3 Ashley Chesters

Chris Doogs won 1up Will Jones

Tom Ibbertson won 32up Matt Birch

Jamie Carney lost 2 down Kris Williams

Dave Westwood won 3&2 Jon Devereux