Rob Browning and a slightly refreshed Andy Sullivan led us out and to our first competitive point of 2010 in a 2&1 win. Sam Dodds and Dave Hayes were not so fortunate and succumbed on the 17th green.

The Ladbrook Lashers Fred Jewsbury and Jack Sant spent too much time in the trees and lost on the 17th.

James Smith and Dales Marson were comfortable in their 5&4 win following some hot putting and sharp iron play and Tom Ibbertson partnered vice Captain Dave Westwood to our last foursomes point to take a 3-2 lead into the afternoon.

As the weather closed in, the players were subjected to some horrendous conditions as the match turned into a war of attrition.

We were soon in control with Rob and Andy winning early on and needing only another 3 points from the remaining 8 games surely the result would be a formality?

However it wasn't only the clouds that were bringing bad news. Warwickshire?s middle order was in mid-round collapse, Dale, Sam, Jack, James and David were all down and the news from the last few games was hardly positive.

With James, Dale and Sam succumbing we needed something from Jack or David.

Despite David being two up with three to play he lost on the last and things seemed to be turning towards the away side.

With Jack and his opponent both on the 18th green in regulation a half seemed inevitable but a missed short putt from the Staffs men gave a point to the bears. This meant that we needed a point from Tom or Dave to win the match.

With Tom taking a penalty drop on 16 a loss there looked inevitable but he chipped in for a half. Hole halved in 17 in pars meant a nervy finish down the last but Tom produced a classy approach to 15 feet and two putts was enough to see the bears through.

Dormie one down on 18, Dave chipped in on to half his match and secure a 8 and half to 6 and half win for Warwickshire.

Overall, we lacked a bit of the sharpness that saw us take the title last season. We will need to be more focused against Notts at Beeston Fields in July in order to maintain our title defence.

Many thanks to Graham Hayes, Jim Dean, John Stubbings, John Jewsbury and John Powell for their support on the day.

For the first picture gallery of 2010 for the 1sts

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For the latest results in the 2010 Bainbridge Shield CLICK HERE