Cornwall Golf Union
Cornwall Seniors bounce back on Day 2 of Seniors Finals
English Men's Seniors County Finals - Tuesday 7th - Thursday 9th October 2025
Cornwall bounced back from the first day defeat to beat Lincolnshire on Day 2 of the English Men's Seniors County Finals by 5.5 matches to 3.5 matches.
In the other match, Cheshire beat Sussex by 5 matches to 4 matches to leave all the 4 counties on two match points each with all to play for tomorrow.
In the league table Sussex leads on 10.5 game points, 2nd place Lincolnshire on 9 game points, 3rd place Cheshire on 8.5 game points and 4th place Cornwall on 8 game points.
Cornwall v Lincolnshire - Day Two - English Men's Seniors County Finals - Wednesday 8th October 2025
After a disappointing start on the first day in the match against Sussex, Cornwall had to come back strongly on day two to give them any chance in this year's event.
Facing Lincolnshire on day two was going to be a tough day as they had beaten Cheshire the day before putting themselves in a strong position. There was a difference in the mood of the team as the match set off in the chill of a North Yorkshire autumn morning.
There was a change of personnel in the morning foursomes with the introduction of our six foot five inch pairing of Dion Keyser and Mark Johnson. Out first was Ian Ashenden and Guy Norris who quickly set out their stall with a convincing 4&2 win. Unfortunately Keyser and Johnson went down 4&3 in the second match to a tough Lincolnshire pairing.
The last match with the pairing of Mark Blaber and Mike Reynard saw the pair one up on the 16th, but they could only hold on for a half finishing all square on the last hole.
The singles proved a different story with Simon Knowles leading the team out. Simon played well through the first ten holes to be 2 up but then unfortunately lost five holes on the spin, going down 2&1.
Bring on the charge through the middle order with Guy Norris winning 3 and 2 and then the next three matches seeing Ian Veale, Mark Blaber and Mike Reynard all winning 5 and 4 giving Cornwall the match win.
Now the all important points difference has started to play a part . With Ian Ashenden out on the course and leading through much of his match, his playing opponent fought back and Ashenden was unable to hang onto his slender lead, losing one down.
However, this 5.5 to 3.5 positive result does still give the Cornwall side a chance of retaining their title. A big result is again required against Cheshire today and a tight game between Sussex and Lincolnshire would be the best outcome.
All to play for and all in Cornwall wish the team well today.
Day 3 matches - Cornwall v Cheshire, Sussex v Lincolnshire
You can keep up date with live scores from the England Men's Seniors County Finals here.
Cornwall v Sussex - Day One - English Men's Seniors County Finals - Tuesday 7th October 2025
Cornwall opened their defence of the English Seniors County Finals against a very strong Sussex side which contained a number of current and former internationals.
Captain Richard Jones stuck with the trusted formation from last year's finals in the morning Foursomes with 6 of the team that won in 2024.
Ian Ashenden and Guy Norris led the way facing Irish international Steve Graham and his partner John Newsome who proved too strong for Cornwall, running out 3 and 2 winners.
Next up for Cornwall was Mark Blaber & Mike Reynard who faced up against a very strong Sussex pairing in Martin Gallway and Matt Allen. Gallway and Allen were on fire from the off, putting pressure on the Cornish pair. Blaber and Reynard ended up losing 6 and 5 to the Sussex pairs' all-round classy performance.
Last up was Ian Veale and Simon Knowles who played against Doug Park and Richard Allen, which proved to be a great match with the Cornish duo leading through much of the match. Unfortunately the Sussex pair never gave up the fight and fought back to win 1up on the last hole. Not the start Cornwall were looking for in their title but still all to play for in the afternoon singles.
Sussex rotated their team bringing in Andrew Smith who recently lost the final of the English Seniors and Arwel Roberts.
Simon Knowles led out the afternoon singles against Andrew Smith which was going to be a tough match. Knowles was on form with his caddie and County President by his side, Knowles quickly took a hold on the game and moved four up and closed out the game with a 3&2 win. One point on the board for Cornwall.
Guy Norris continued the fight back after initially going behind to Arwel Roberts and played some very solid golf to also win by a margin of 3 and 2 which then put Cornwall only one point adrift.
Mike Reynard played against Matt Allen who he played in the morning. Allen continuing his fine play and went on to defeat Reynard by 3 and 2.
Ian Veale faced up against Steve Graham, which proved to be a very close match before Graham took control over the last few holes with Veale losing the match 2 down. Graham played a fantastic shot from the trees on the left of 18 hitting in close to see out the match.
Mark Blaber had another tough match and was 4 down to Doug Park early on but fought back bravely to take the game to the last. Park hit a great shot into the last hole to win the match 1 up.
Our own England International Ian Ashenden had a real tussle with Richard Allen where there was little in the game. Ashenden came to the last one up but despite making a brilliant up and down for par, Richard Allen had hit his second shot to five feet and rolled it in for a birdie gaining a further half point for Sussex.
Well done to Sussex who took the match by 6.5 matches to 2.5 matches. All to play for on Wednesday with Cornwall facing Lincolnshire, who they played against in the 2024 Finals at Torquay and then on the final day of the 3 match event on Thursday playing against North region champions Cheshire.
You can keep up date with live scores from the England Men's Seniors County Finals here.
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