There was one ray of hope in the form of Rob Steele and Rory Kirwan, in Match 2. They however came up against Gloucestershire opposition who simply clawed and fought tooth and nail for every shot. Time and time again, fantastic matchplay holes were there at the finish of the match.

On the par five 15th, Warwickshire were on in two, at the front of the green and facing a downwind putt in a 35mph 'breeze'. Gloucs were short in two in a greenside bunker and played out over the green. Warwickshire then left their eagle putt short whilst Gloucs chipped up to 10ft. Warwickshire went 6ft past with their try for a birdie so when Gloucs holed for a par, that return (third) putt was crucial.

In it went and after the 16th and 17th had been swapped, it all came down to the 18th. Just as on Saturday, a putt for a half slipped by.

That three points dropped meant 5-1 in the singles was a must if Warwickshire were to have any chance of taking second place.

That was always going to be difficult. Playing No 1 was Matt Cryer and with a string of pars ('Pars are such good scores on a day like this', said Matt) the England Elite player saw off his opposition 6&5. It was far tighter elsewhere.

Andy Sullivan was three down after three then clawed his way back into the match with four birdies and 'a million' bogies. It would go down to the wire but a wayward Gloucs tee shot on the 18th and Andy had his first singles win of the week.

In Match 6, Paul Randle was playing for his first singles point of the three days. He tried his best but lost on the 14th, as did Rory Kirwan one hole later. The match win as gone when David Hayes came back again from being 3 down to go all square, only to then lose two holes in succession and his match.

The drama was actually going on in Match 2, with Rob Steele playing his final competitive match as an Amateur - Rob will turn Professional this Thursday.

Having played for the 1sts for seven years, and only lost four times in singles, it would have been a poor way to finish his amateur career with a loss. Rob's putter was having none of the sentiment. The Kenilworth star could find nothing but Rob was not going to lose, whatever it took.

A great approach to 17 and he could have gone 1up. The putt drifted by so it was down the last, a hole which had not been kind to Rob at all. This time though Rob nailed the three-foot putt for his par.

'I feel terrible for everyone', said County Captain Graham Hargreaves, 'I feel very sad for the lads who have given Warwickshire and me a great deal. They have tried their very best.

'The opposition played slightly better than us on two days - no today Gloucs outplayed us.

'They have done us proud and its no disgrace to loose to Counties of the quality of Yorkshire and Gloucestershire.

'I have to say a big vote of thanks to all the supporters who came down to Kent, and the Executive who have done so much, especially financially.'

Next year, only Rob Steele will not be available (obviously) but this team is a very good team and qualifying will be at Coventry Finham, so we could be back in 2007, stronger and wiser. We look forward!

Of interest : Yorkshire beat everyone to take their seventh title in ten years.