There was a buzz about Nuneaton when the players arrived, as the Club had, the day before, gone to Wales to play the Welsh Champions in the Daily Mail Foursomes, and come back with a win that sees the club into the quarterfinals of that National competition. As per the promise when Team Warwickshire was formed late last year, the teams and selection have been flexible throughout the season and Andy decided to bring in two Nuneaton players.

It was a sensible choice but for both Paul Randle and Paul Brindley, it was a day to forget. They played together in the foursomes and lost, Randle was up against an opponent very much in form in the singles and Brindley also lost on the last in the afternoon.

The start was positive though with big wins for Matt Cryer playing with David Hayes (- 4 when they shook hands) and from Chris Evans and Ben Senior. A further point was added by Bill Nicolson and Ian Stranks with a final green win to make the lunchtime score 3-2 to Warwickshire.

Things were positive from the start in the singles. Matt Cryer was once again playing impressive golf to post a first win and he was soon followed back to the clubhouse by David Hayes, whose opposition did not have his best day. Hayes was fresh from a 66 at his home club and will go back to Oxford University next week to start his Law degree. For Cryer, five birdies, partly due to 18 putts in 14 holes was enough.

Gareth Jenkins was next in line for a win, although Gareth was a bit candid about his play –

‘I am glad that is over. I scored OK but it was a struggle to play.’

Rob Steele was playing his fourth round of the weekend in his singles, having come runner-up to Paul Dixon at the Whittington Bowl the day before with two rounds of 70.

‘This is a bit of a match!’, said Steele coming up the 14th after the pair had thrown birdies at each other in the previous 5 holes. It was though soon a 2&1 win leaving Warwickshire needing just one more point for the match.

That might have come from Ian Stranks were it not for a birdie birdie finish by his opponent, to go down by 1 hole. The point did arrive soon though courtesy of an impressive Ben Senior with a 4&3 win.

That left Bill Nicolson out the course, and Chris Evans. Nicolson had a chance to add a full point to the match score by went out of bounds on the 18th and halved his match. Chris Evans, who missed the Open last week through not being happy with some new swing changes, was in control of his match when his Derbys singles opponent injured his wrist so that match was given as a half.

With all the other counties having lost at least one match, Warwickshire now go to Kidderminster with a chance to bring back the Midland League title for presentation at the Annual Dinner in November. Your support would be very welcome at Kidderminster next month, as it will be at Burton on Trent next Sunday when the Juniors need just one more win to go into the play-offs against Notts for the corresponding championship for the Junior Teams.

A number of additional player pictures have been added to the gallery in

County Men | Teams | 1st Team | Pictures