CornwallGolf Union
Cornwall Seniors earned a narrow but important victory in their first home match of the 2022 season, defeating reigning SCL Champions Wiltshire 8 -7 yesterday at Bowood Park GC.
The Duchy team got their noses in front during the morning greensomes eking out a 3-2 lead courtesy of wins from debutants Simon Knowles and Guy Norris (1 hole) and the established pairing of Gary Stone and Colin Kitt (4&2). Added to that were two halves from Kevin Mula with Mark Blaber and Charlie Phillips with Richard Jones. In the only game to go fully the way of Wiltshire Lawrie Bridges and Andy Rowe lost but just by the odd hole. The narrow margins were to be an indication of how the afternoon singles would pan out added to which were strengthening winds.
It was the stalwart Rowe who was to lead out the afternoon singles and he had a tight encounter with Mike White in which he fought back to win the 18th and gain the team an invaluable half point. Next up was Norris who matched the game ahead of him and claimed another half with Mark Slater. In yet another match to go the full 18 Wiltshire's Simon Dymoke pipped Mark Blaber by the odd hole.
Cornwall then claimed a couple of wins from Knowles, who capped a great debut with a 1 hole win over Al Paterson, and Stone who beat Neil Blewitt 3&1.The score at this point 6-4 to the Duchy.
Wiltshire maintained their strong challenge with a Per Axel Warensjo win 2&1 over Colin Kitt before County Men's Captain Charlie Phillips beat Steve Ballard 3&2. Wiltshire were fighting though and Lawrie Bridges went down by the odd hole to Ian Warwick, leaving the match score delicately poised at 7-6 in Cornwall's favour.
The last two matches on the course were going to decide the outcome and first up Kevin Mula fought back from being 2 down to win the 18th and gain another half point meaning the team could not lose overall.
So it was down to Richard Jones at number 10 and he was all square stood on the 18th tee. Jones found the putting surface with a great 6 iron and then two putted from 40 feet to halve the hole and gain another half point meaning the final result was just in the Duchy's favour at 8-7.
County Seniors Captain Paul Clahane was delighted. "It was a truly great team effort and showed what our team are capable of. This was a good match in which players from both sides delivered a high quality of play, well done all."
Next up for the Cornwall Seniors, on 14th July at Thurlestone GC, will be an an away encounter with current table toppers and neighbours Devon who also played yesterday gaining a mightily impressive 12.5 - 2.5 away win in Gloucestershire.
Seniors Channel League Standings
Cornish players Norris, Rowe, Jones, Warwick Holland and Malcolm Edmunds all played in the Welsh Mens Open Seniors Championship the previous week. Guy Norris proved best finisher in 23rd spot with a 221 (+11) total after rounds of 74, 73 & 74. to finish just 10 shots behind winner Aide Firman (211).