Somerset Complete Double Over Duchy

Cornwall remain winless in the 2021 Men's Channel League after a determined Somerset team put the Duchy to the sword yesterday at Bude & North Cornwall GC. Having been beaten by Somerset in early August the Cornwall team went down 10.5 - 4.5 over the well presented links on a glorious September golfing day.

The tone for the day was set early on as County Captain Charlie Phillips was yet again forced to play following an early Sunday morning withdrawal on the part of George Champion due to illness. Having already had to replace Rob MacGregor from the original team selection Phillips can count himself unlucky at the eleventh hour.

The morning foursomes commenced in very benign conditions with not a breath of wind evident. What breeze eventually appeared was mild to say the least . Somerset took the initiative from the word go and the only ray of sunlight from the five morning games was a 4&3 win for the recalled Adam Bridgewater playing with Justin Barnard over the long serving pair of Craig Adams and Andy Ferris.

First pair out, the Newquay duo of Aaron Stephens and Jon Hancock, were beaten 3&1 by Curtis Edwards and Alfie Jubb and this was followed  by a 2&1 defeat for Thomas Stephens and Kieran Faulkner. at the hands of Kobe Adams and Andy Isaacs.  With Tom Fox and Alex McHugh going down 3&2 to Jason Brock and Luke Appleton hopes of an afternoon chance rested on Phillips playing once again with junior Josh Chapman. However despite fighting they too went down 2&1 to Jon Ball and Jack Vowell. So 4-1 to Somerset at lunch with Cornwall needing 7 from the 10 afternoon singles to win.

What was a tall order from the outset, sadly did not materialise in any fashion. Bridgewater, having a very good day, saw off Ferris convincingly by 7&5 but he and debutant McHugh, who beat Brock 2&1 were to be the only singles winners for the Duchy. There were halves for Aaron Stephens, Faulkner and Fox against Adams, Jubb and Ball respectively but a 3.5 return from 10 was disappointing. Barnard and Chapman were both beaten at the 17th and Phillips fought to the last where he lost by just that hole.

What were the plus points for Cornwall? Phillips and Vice Captain Peter Simmons have continued to rotate a squad and in so doing have gained understanding of player strengths and weaknesses. Acknowledging the county faces a transition period the hope will be for a better showing in the team's final match away to Devon at yelverton next Sunday, 12th September.

Bude & North Cornwall Golf Club were magnificent hosts, something acknowledged by both teams throughout.

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