A final win for Captain Jenks

David Morgan - Monday, 27 October, 2008

Midland League 2008 - M5 for the 1sts - Handsworth GC - Sunday 26th October - The arget was a minimum of a 12-3 win, if the Midland League title was to return to 'Bear Country' . That was always going to be difficult and our final opponents Derbyshire were in no mood to make lfie easy. That showed in the morning foursomes result.

Warwickshire ook the morning but by only 3-2. Andy Sullivan and Dale Marson put a first point on the board before Warwickshire lost on the last in Match 2, our pairing being Rory Kirwan and Ben Stafford. We went back in front with James Smith and Rob Bardsley, the U20s in the side, taking their match again on the 18th and when Captain Gareth Jenkins, playing in his last match as Captain, and his long time partner Ian Stranks finished their match on the 17th.

Home Club member Dave Westwood was paired with Rob browning and they could not take their match so the Singles would need a 9-1 scoreline were Warwickshire were to pressurise a Notts win against Shropshire & Hereford.

Its started very well, with the Top five all leading and bar some hiccups, the first four all turned round wins whilst Captain Jenkins gritted out a half after a string of lost holes at the end of his match.

Sullivan was three up with five to play before winning on the last. Marson made a hash of two holes before a brilliant recovery at the 15th put him on his way to a 3&2 win. Kirwan was never more than a hole ahead and again one peice of brilliance with his approach to the 18th sealed that win. Ben Stafford finished the delivery of the first four points with his won 3&2 win.

It was getting more 'sticky' in the last five matches. Ian Stranks was in complete control after birdying the first three and adding three more birdies to his total for the day but Rob Bardsley was down early on and never recovered and the same was true for his Foursomes partner James Smith, so hard to beat for the rest of the season. Smith would lose on the 17th, Bardsley on the 16th - but Rob has one more golfing event to look forward to when he goes to Dubai for the Daily Telegraph Junior Championship, to take on the likes of Stiggy Hodgson once again.

That put the League title out of reach but that was of no consequence to either Rob Browning or Dave Westwood. Rob was booking his tee shots out onto the fairways in his win whilst Dave Westwood came back from two down to take his game to the last green. He could not take that hole so the singles were won 6.6 - 3.5 and the match overall by 9.5 to 5.5.

'Well that is 'Goodbye' ', said Gareth after the match, 'Its been great. I ahve thoroughly enjoyed the experience and I'm amazed at how quick it has been.

'I feel a bit gutted about this year. We got caught (against Shropshire & Hereford) by some horrible weather - that lost us the League.

'I can't fault the lads - they have been brilliant. And its nice to finish with a win - at Handsworth!'

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Midland League 2008 - M5 for the 1sts - Handsworth GC - Sunday 26th October - MATCH SCORECARD

Morning Foursomes

Andy Sullivan & Dale Marson bt Darren Coop & Paul Tatlow 3&2

Rory Kirwan & Ben Stafford lost to Jack Lynch & Liam Sinnott 1dn

James Smith & Rob Bardsley bt Sam Humpston & John Chapman 1up

Gareth Jenkins & Ian Stranks bt Dan Walker & Matt Marriott 2&1

Dave Westwood & Rob Browning lst to James Bishop & Will Harvey

Singles