Away at Wollaton, our Seconds were all square at lunch 3-3. At Moseley, Worcestershire were completing their win so it was down to our side to help them out.

Back in Bear Country, at Handsworth, we were also tied with visitors Notts, a team refreshed by an evening out (till quite late!) on Broad Street.

Our wins came from Andy Sullivan & Dale Marson and the Maxstoke pairing of Rob Browning & Antony Gascoigne. Match 3 saw the past two Junior Captain's Rory Kirwan and Sam Dodds halve their match.

Into the afternoon, the news wasn't good from our first five - but it wasn't a disaster. All bar Ben Stafford at No5 were down, but only by the odd hole at the turn.

There was better news from Ian Stranks and Rob Browning whilst Captain Gareth Jenkins was watching his opposition hole 50 yard pitch shots. However, the wins didn't come from either Dale Marson ay No 1 nor Andy Sullivan who in the battle of the birdies came second against James Freeman, the Notts County Champion this year.

There would be nothing on the day for Matt Cryer but Rory Kirwan put aside any thoughts of last year's dramatic loss, at the same course, and provided our first point with a 3&2 win.

Ben Stafford chipped out from the trees on the 18th and eventually halved so for the overall win, we need four wins from the last five matches.

Captain Gareth came back to manage a half whilst a rejuvenated Ian Stranks, having purchased a PowerCaddy to keep his legs fresh for a long days golf, was in sparkling form winning 5&3. There was more good news as Rob Browning went unbeaten on the day with his singles win.

So one and a half points were needed. Sam Dodds lost his tempo in his swing in the awful weather of the Champion Club Tournament at Hesketh a couple of weeks ago and despite an emergency lesson he could not find it for today. With an ice cold putter, he lost on the 17th. That meant the title was gone and Antony Gascoigne lost to the experience of Derek McJannet on the 18th.

'Its hard luck for the Warwickshire Guys,' said victorious Staffordshire Captain Andy Guy, 'Two years in a row October hasn't been kind to them - maybe next year guys.'

So it may be and for 2008, Warwickshire will have three home games. Unfortunately we have been unable to win twice in Warwickshire, just when it was vital in the very last game of the season.

Our Juniors formed part of the team for the Seconds, gaining valuable experience for next week when we go back to Wollaton, in Nottinghamshire, to try to take the Midland Junior League Play- offs once again. There was success for Chris Freeman and other Junior points so lets hope next week will see a winning end to 2007. We were not able to oblige our neighbors though and the champagne was being cracked open by Notts for that league win.