Compare this with last year at Kings Norton, over 7000 yards of Championship style test, and the difference in average scoring shows how well the top teams did this year compared with last. At Kings Norton, the scoring average was 75.74, 1.74 shot per round above the SS. This year, the average score was four shots lower (at 71.7) against an SS of 69.

One man dominated the scoring, British Amateur Champion Gary Wolstenholme. With a handicap of +5, the Leicestershire No1 played to his handicap in the morning round (with a 64) but failed to do so in the afternoon. He only managed a 65. That total (of 129) was enough to win the individual medal by 4 shots from Jamie Farnsworth from Notts.

Leicestershire & Rutland were indebted to Wolstenholme for part of their first round lead of 12, but the remaining five of their squad shot no worse than 72 over the morning. Derbyshire were looking like being their nearest challengers until their last player posted an 82 so that left Notts, hosts Cambridgeshire and the latterly mentioned Derbys needing to beat the Foxes by two shots a man to qualify in this the most demanding of Amateur Golf competitions.

Warwickshire were 14 back, with Rob Steele and Paul Randle not playing at their very best and only Matt Cryer breaking par with a 69, including a bogey at the last. Our Counties task was even greater, almost impossible, but the pm performance could hardly have been faulted.

In the afternoon, Notts and Leics both broke par for their total of all six scores. Warwickshire went three better with an excellent 415 for the afternoon, - 5 to par. Rob Steele took three shots off his morning round, with a 71, whilst Paul Randle went six better than his first score with a 69, recapturing much of his excellent form shown the previous week at the Warwickshire Matchplay.

Steele was disappointed with his day, having been 10th at the Lagonda held at Gog Magog earlier in the season, a placing aided by a 69, 66 finish. I started poorly both rounds and could never get a run going.

Chris Evans had a 71, as did Ryan Burton who was looking at a 69 as he stood on the 18th tee. A blocked tee shot led to a six but still a good finish. Out on the course, Carl Kirby was following up consecutive eagles with three more birdies, including a flourish at the last with a 25ft putt. I was unlucky with the (four) bogies , said Kirby after he had finished and posted a 67.

There was little sign of a chance of a bogey on Matt Cryer s card. With anything like a bit of good fortune, Cryer would have beaten the course record, matched by Wolstenholme and David Skins on the day, probably by a number of shots.

The only putt holed by the Coventry No1 was from 18ft at the last and his 66 was 33 shots and 33 uses of his putter. Having missed from 15ft (and less) on the 1st and 3rd, Cryer almost drove the 5th but played a poor chip and failed to birdie there. He reached both par fives in two on the front nine and two putted both, then missed from 12ft on the 10th. More chances just missed at the next three holes, then Cryer hit a sand wedge to 10ft at the 15th only to pull the putt. He was not more than 15ft from the flag at the short 17th and just failed there before demolishing the 446 yard 18th with a three wood wedge.

All this added up to the best team performance over 18 holes throughout the day, and Warwickshire s best performance for 4 years, something Captain and Team Psychologist Stuart Harris were very pleased with.

The guys did very well. Wolstenholme apart, we were up there and for next year, we can go one place better.