The 1sts were away to Worcestershire at Kidderminster. Their start was good, winning the foursomes 3-2 although that could have been 4-1 as we halved two games on the last having led on the 18th tee.

At Walmley, the 2nds were looking as if they were going to have a close match after nine, only being well up in a couple of the six foursome matches. They turned that round in some style, eventually winning 6-0!

Two years ago, having been in a similar position of leading the Midland League, that time away to Staffordshire, the singles was nervous and play untidy. This year, Worcestershire started very well in the singles and we did not respond well in the early stages of the matches, with our team down in most matches.

It has been a team effort throughout but for the 1sts, there were some key performances in the singles. Firstly Rob Steele overturned a deficit to beat Paul Skerritt 2&1. There was then another full point from Ben Stafford, who won 5&4.

That gave Wawickshire 5 points but we already well down in the matches coming to a finish and a win looked ever unlikely. However, Ian Stranks was 3 down with five to play and then halved. David Hayes was three down with six to go and also halved – what had been looking like a big loss could now be turned into a close loss which could still see winning the League.

Chris Evans was two down with three to play. Having win the 16th and 17th, he shook hands with his opponent on the last green with both players having 4 ft putts for birdies.

Over at Walmley, there were no such problems for Captain Gordon Marston as his players were running away with the match winning the singles 11.5 to just 1.5 – ‘Unheard of’ was the comment from Warwickshire Union Secretary John Stubbings as our team moved up from last place in the 2nds League courtesy of this massive win – overtaking Worcestershire.

It was a nervous wait back at Kidderminster for the result from Hollinwell, where Notts were playing Staffordshire. Notts have very rarely been beaten as their most prestigious course but they were this Sunday, leaving our 1st team as champions because Notts were the only team capable of overtaking us.

The final League Table was

Warwickshire 7 points

Worcestershire 6 points (1/2 match point ahead)

Staffordshire 6 points

Nottinghamshire 5 points

Derbyshire 4 points

Shrops & Hereford 2 points

The Midland League Cup will be presented at the Warwickshire Union Annual Dinner in late November. All clubs are invited to send representatives

Other Warwickshire news – Coventry kept up the possibility of retaining their Bainbridge Shield title through beating Atherstone at the 19th in the first of the semi-finals. The other match between Maxstoke and Harborne will be played this week with the final to be held before the end of August.