Gloucestershire Golf Union
1st Team Vs Devon
The County 1st Team kept their two year unbeaten Channel League record in tact with an amazing win away to Devon at Bovey Castle.
The win, by the closest of margins 8 games to 7, was again a triumph for the depth of our squad as we travelled again with only 5 players who represented us at South West Week back in June.
As always, the team was selected on merit, being based on the results from the four Duchess Salver events which took place in the break between fixtures.
The weekend didn’t start well, though, as Mike Lindsay withdrew on Sat afternoon with illness, not what a Captain wants the day before a critical match.
No problem though, as a quick call to Jonny Daniel (Henbury) our 2nd team Captain, who by the way was in Bruges, ensured we travelled with a full compliment. This included one of our U18 juniors Oli Jenkins (The Players) making his debut in the 1st team, along with a warm welcome back to old hand Ceri Fearnley (Knowle).
The team quickly got into their stride as top pairing of Joe Harvey (The Kendleshire) & Jake Phillips (Minchinhampton) cantered to a fine win. And what a great start by debutant Oli Jenkins playing with Sam Sullivan (Knowle) taking the spoils 3&1 against the seasoned pairing from Devon, of Bridgewater & Jones. Talking to Sam after the match, he just heaped praise on his young partner.
Further wins in the morning came from Ceri Fearnley & Jonny Daniel and Charlie Mclean & Josh Denley. We went into lunch 4 – 1 up, and in a very buoyant mood indeed.
The afternoon started off as we finished, with Joe Harvey always in command and increasing our lead by another point; just 3 more and we would be over the line to the magic figure of 8 points.
Well, this is where my stress started, as an unusual loss for Jake Phillips and an out of sorts Nick Day, only taking half a point, things started to unravel, to the point I couldn’t even see a halved match. OMG our awesome record and the Channel League really were on the line here.
So to the back of the field where Charlie Mclean (Minchinhampton) was in full control of his match being 5 up through 9 and strolled to a 4&3 win, but Josh Denley (Chipping Sodbury,) struggling to find his game, came up short losing 3&2. Now, I was really struggling to see where the points were coming from, as the rest of the team were having major battles
However, remember our young U18 Oli Jenkins, well he won 3 out of the last 4 holes to sneak his win. Now then, our last man on the course, Will Mullins was 1 down playing the 17th and up against a face in a green side bunker, with his opponent 18ft from the pin……stress level now in overload, Will had to get up and down, and he duly obliged, with his opponent missing the opportunity to win his game.
By now it felt like the whole world was watching this final hole by lining both sides of the fairway. With both players safely on the green, it became a putting competition and Will didn’t disappoint as he stroked in from 20ft for his birdie and our win (where there’s a Will, there’s a WIN). I can only say our side of the fairway were a little louder than the other side.
To say I was ecstatic, is an absolute understatement, and the team, well let’s say that’s the most fist pumping I’ve seen in years. It has to be said, the pride, passion and commitment from this squad has reached unmeasurable heights.
My personal thanks go out to our travelling supporters of President Alan Robinson, Immediate Past President Mike Doyle-Davidson, our Chairman Ian Cornwell and his wife Mary and my wife, Dawn. A huge thanks to Devon for selecting one of the best away courses the team have ever played. It was in amazing condition.
It only leaves me to say that the County 1st team are back at the top of the Channel League table. Our remaining matches take place at home to Glamorgan at Ross on Wye 6th October, and Gwent at home playing at Cotswold Hills 13th October. Needless to say 2 wins will seal the championship for the 2nd year running.
Gary Ward
1st Team Captain
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