1st team v Cambridgeshire

Cambridgeshire 1st Team 6.5 – Northamptonshire 1st Team 5.5

Our first match of the season took us to Saffron Walden and what a treat it was. The course was in
immaculate condition, a genuine gem of Cambridgeshire golf. The greens were running at roughly
4,329 on the stimp (marginally quicker than Augusta) and the weather was nothing short of
sensational. Sun cream on, spirits high and a confident team ready to kick off the season.

Morning Foursomes – Fast Start for Northants
Torin Little & George Castle lost 3&1 to Oliver Toyer & Sam Marshall
Not the start we wanted on paper, but there were flickers of quality and promise. George and Torin
found themselves 3 down after 3, and while there were flashes of brilliance and moments of
resilience, the early damage proved too much to repair. There was also the odd touch of petulance,
which, to be fair, is part of most great partnerships.
Jensen Parfitt & Max Faulkner won 1up vs Matt Pearce & Danny Loveday
A high-class match. Jensen and Max led almost the entire way, with superb iron play and an aura of
calmness. But this is foursomes, and nothing is ever that simple; after losing 17, they arrived at the
final par-3 just 1 up. Cambridgeshire hit it to 6 feet, but ice-cold Jensen followed them in to 8 feet. It
would be cool to say it was halved in birdie, but I was quite pleased when both sides narrowly
missed. A proper match.
Lee Hitchcock & Fraser Carnihan won 1up vs Luke Ryan & Theo Morris
The Scratch Foursomes champions reunited and with a twist. They played from one bag, a hybrid set
of 14 clubs between them, prompting a rulebook inspection from their bewildered opponents. They
trailed early, but Lee’s iron play coming down the stretch and Fraser’s magical putter turned things
around. A clutch 3-footer on the last sealed a gritty win for one of the most battle-tested pairs in
county golf.
Jack Brown & Ryan Genner won 4&2 vs Nick Smits & Paul Collington
A performance that oozed control. Jack was in full aura mode and he and Ryan never looked like
surrendering the lead. There wasn’t a moment of panic or drama; just good, clean, ruthless
foursomes golf. A big win and a pairing that looks seriously strong.
Lunchtime score: Northamptonshire 3 – Cambridgeshire 1
What could possibly go wrong?

Afternoon Singles – Where It All Went Wrong
Jensen Parfitt lost 1 down to Sam Marshall
A match of elite quality. Sam is a +4 handicapper and an England international; Jensen is pure class
and doesn’t flinch. On another day, either one of them wins this match comfortably against anyone
else. Jensen wasn’t quite at his imperious best, but the match turned on the smallest of margins.
Lee Hitchcock lost 4&2 to Oliver Toyer
A birdie-filled match, unfortunately with more of them falling Oliver’s way. Lee fought hard, but
sometimes you just get beat by someone playing exceptional golf. It’s a high level out here, and this
was one of those days.
Torin Little lost 3&1 to Danny Loveday
This match had everything: contrast, chaos, and a reminder that talent alone isn’t always enough. A
couple of wayward shots and a lost club didn’t help Torin’s cause, but there’s so much ability here.
With some tighter decision-making, he’ll bounce back stronger. Danny’s short game was lethal, tailor-
made for this track.
George Castle lost 3&2 to Matt Pearce
George’s summary: “It’s either mega or it’s left.” And he wasn’t wrong. Some spectacular golf,
including a worldie birdie from the trees on 12, showed his quality. But Saffron Walden punishes the
short-sided, and a few too many misses in the wrong places led to a frustrating result.
Ryan Genner halved with Paul Collington
Ryan might not have had his best stuff, but he still came out of the day undefeated and showed
exactly why he’s so reliable in the middle order. After falling behind on 16 and suffering a third brutal
lip-out, most players would fade. Ryan didn't. He won the 18th to grab a half point that felt far more
valuable than the number suggests.
Jack Brown lost 5&4 to Theo Morris
Theo started with three straight birdies and hit it a mile; the kind of start that makes recovery almost
impossible. Jack found himself 5 down through 5. To his immense credit, he kept fighting and stayed
composed, but the gap was too wide. Golf is cruel like that.
Max Faulkner won 1up vs Luke Ryan
Max played with intelligence and style all day; seemingly incapable of missing a green with his irons
and rolling in putts like it was nothing. He rattled off eight single putts in a row, earned a slender
lead, and held firm. On 18, a tough chip left him 10 feet he walked the putt in with full confidence.
Fraser Carnihan won 3&2 vs Nick Smits
Another maximum from Fraser, who quietly and efficiently got the job done. A miraculous birdie on
the first set the tone, and from then on, he controlled his ball beautifully. This is a course that
rewards precision and Fraser had it in spades. Irons off tees, composure throughout and a calm,
clinical finish.
Final Score: Cambridgeshire 6.5 – Northamptonshire 5.5
So close. So much promise.

We leave Cambridgeshire with a narrow defeat, but also with plenty of reasons to be hopeful,
particularly our excellent foursomes performance. With the Eastern Counties Foursomes at Seacroft
on the horizon, this was a valuable test of both ability and character.
In truth, the afternoon came down to course management and making the right choices in the right
places. We didn’t always do that. But that’s how we grow.
Player of the Match: Max Faulkner
There were standout efforts across the team: Fraser Carnihan delivered his usual quality with
maximum points, and Ryan Genner remained undefeated, showing real character in tight moments.
But Player of the Match goes to Max Faulkner.
After a composed and clinical win in the morning foursomes with Jensen Parfitt, Max followed it up
with a superb singles victory over Cambridgeshire captain Luke Ryan. He looked rock solid all day;
picking smart shots, flushing irons and dropping eight single putts in a row. On the final hole, faced
with a tough up-and-down to seal the match, Max calmly rolled it in and walked it home like he’d
seen it drop a thousand times.
After the match, Luke, who’d apparently taken some stick for picking himself, joked about the
scrutiny. But, as someone once said: never take criticism from people you wouldn’t go to for advice.
Luke can hold his head high, but it was Max who walked away with the point and the plaudits.
Two matches. Two wins. Maximum points.
A class act — and a huge asset for the season ahead.

A Word to the Team
It’s okay to feel disappointed. I did too. But I also felt something else; pride. We battled. We
supported one another. We stayed classy in defeat. That matters.
This season is just beginning. What we build now, in moments of adversity, in how we speak to
ourselves and each other, will define who we are come summer’s end.
So we walk away from this one a little wiser, a little hungrier, and absolutely united. Let’s keep
showing resilience. Let’s keep being kind.
Onwards.

Chris White
Northamptonshire 1st Team Captain