James Smith and Dale Marson reached the 16th tee two up and seeming in control of their match but lots can go wrong on the tricky last three holes. Dale ended up having to hole a three footer for a half on the 18th!

Dave Westwood and debutant Tom Ibbertson also reached the 16th two up and also had to settle for a halved match.

Gareth Jenkins and Ian Stranks went down 2&1 after a tough struggle. We could have easily gone into lunch at 3 ? -1 ? up but the actual score was 3-2 to the home side.

Lack of course knowledge over the last few holes had cost us dear (the team had only played 12 holes in practice on Saturday due to slow play).

The captain stressed the need for a fast start in the afternoon and with the team fighting to keep their number one spot in the Midland League table we were ready for battle.

Sam led out and had finished off the injured Derbyshire captain before I could even find him on the course- 7&6. Andy, playing at two and against one of his morning conquerors had a point to prove. He was up against Derbyshire Open champion and Matlock member Liam Sinnott and despite some quality play he was struggling to get in front. He finally did so at the 16th and held on with a closing birdie to win 2up.

Dale at three was not happy with his iron play and as I caught him up on the fourth he had just hit an eight iron to two feet! His match was nip and tuck all the way but he was in front going up the 18th after an outrageous birdie from his opponent on 17 had reduced his dormie lead. Hole halved in four up the last meant that we had the first three points in the bag. Paul was up then down then up again and only a cold putter stopped him from increasing the margin of victory. He closed his game on the last.

Rob was back on form and in the mood to demolish his opponent. He opened up an early lead and never looked in danger despite a double airshot followed by a kick and a concession on the tricky 13th! Halving the 17th in pars was enough to add another point to the Warwickshire tally.

At this stage the scores read 7-3 in our favour and with only James being behind in the last five games we were very confident of adding a third win to our campaign. However, it's never over until it's over and the Derbyshire fightback started. James went down 3&2 after struggling off the tee, Tom lost on the last after lipping out from 12 feet and Gareth was down most of the way before losing 2&1.

Dave was 2 up with five to play and Ian was all square at the same point. We needed just one point from these last two games to take the match.

Still level on the short par four 17th, Ian's 300 yard drive pitched into a horrible spot some 50 yards right of the green and with his England boy international opponent in the middle of the fairway the situation looked bleak.

At just 16 years old, Nick Newbold is one of the bright young players that Derbyshire have developed over the last two seasons but in Ian Stranks we have a man with a steely determination to win despite what hurdles lie in front of him.

Nick pitches to 8 feet and with his team mates egging him on Ian hacked out the rough to twenty feet. An incredible shot under the circumstances!

'I haven?t holed anything all day' he bemoaned approaching the green.

Good time to knock one in then and in it went to wild cheers from the watching Bears.

With the captain and president chewing on their ever-shortening fingernails the oppositions' putt slid by and we had secured at least a half. Halving the 18th in par meant that the match win was ours and just as well as Dave had just lost to four consecutive birdies to lose 2&1.

Overall a fantastic team performance with real spirit and commitment being shown by all the players. We now have two home games left, firstly at Kenilworth against Notts and finally against Worcestershire at Olton.

Thanks to John Duncombe for his support on the day.