Cornwall Golf Union
Cornwall snatch win over Somerset
Cornwall overcame a strong Somerset side 8 -7 in their encounter at Trevose G&CC yesterday maintaining their push for the Channel League title. The Duchy took a 3-2 lead into lunch and then shared the 10 singles matches 5 a piece with their opposition to gain a narrow win which keeps the team very much in the hunt for this season's honours.
Somerset brought a strong side to Cornwall and were using the match with the English County Finals in late September very much in mind. They included SWCGA Amateur Champion Will Poole and England International Josh Hilleard and both teams were treated to real tests courtesy of dry windy weather combined with firm ground conditions.
In the morning foursomes Cornwall gained the almost essential advantage as halves from Joe Cruse with Tom Fox and from Steve Davies with Joe Reynard were capitalised on with two wins from Richard Jasper with George Leigh (1 up), and from Rob MacGregor with Conor Wilson (6&5). The only defeat for the Duchy was for Ryan Curtis with Aaron Stephens at the hands of Hilleard and Jamie Clare (2&1).
Cornwall needed 5 points from the afternoon foursomes to claim overall victory and that is exactly what transpired as the two counties shared the spoils available. Five points each was probably a fair result but nevertheless the tension was maintained as 4 outright wins came the way of the Duchy. Two halved matches added to the wins gave Cornwall the overall victory.
Cruse had an excellent match with Hilleard at the top of the order and after both had a string of birdies the Cornish talisman mounted the 18th tee one up. After both hit excellent drives up the last Cruse found the back off the green. Hilleard then struck a perfect wedge to within inches of the hole to gain himself and Somerset a half. The other halved match involved George Leigh and Sam Sloman. Leigh had the advantage earlier on but was pegged back and a three putt bogey on the 17th cost him his lead. However Leigh got up and down from the back of the 18th to earn what proved to be a valuable half point.
The Cornish singles wins were in the main quite comfortable but before they appeared on the scoreboard there were two defeats behind Cruse. Curtis went down 4&2 to Clare and Jasper lost 5&4 to an inspired Poole in a match where both players shared a lot of birdies. At much the same time though a series of Cornish wins sealed the result. Wilson overcame Phil White 3&2, Fox beat Sam Fernley 5&3, and Stephens eased comfortably past Taylor Lloyd by 5&4. When MacGregor beat Somerset County Captain Justin Lane 5&4 Cornwall had got over the line. Consolation for Somerset came in the form of two wins at the back of the field as Andy Ferris beat Reynard 2&1 and Craig Adams beat Davies 3&2.
Cornwall have an excellent relationship with Somerset and this was evident throughout as both players officials and spectators enjoyed some excellent golf and the general bonhomie associated with encounters between the two SW counties. The win for Cornwall puts the county at the top of the Channel League table albeit having played one more match than 2nd placed and presently unbeaten Glamorgan. Cornwall will be hoping Somerset, who have yet to play the Welsh, can provide us the necessary favour.
Channel League Table
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
