Northamptonshire I v Suffolk I

Venue: Diss G.C. Suffolk

Sunday 5th June 2011

Result: NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 7 - 5 SUFFOLK 

MATCH REPORT

The venue for the second Anglian League match of the season was Diss Golf Club perched on the Suffolk/Norfolk border. The course presented an interesting test on fast running bouncy fairways and small tricky greens. Back to back closing par fives played downwind would ensure an exciting matchplay climax.

Our lads acquitted themselves exceptionally well and it was neck and neck at lunchtime two games a piece.

Playing top on his return to the County fray, David Morris partnered Fraser Carnihan (Callaghan) (Cardigan) in the morning foursomes. After an indifferent start, the pair settled in to play some solid golf in a close match which saw us on the wrong end of a 2/1 scoreline. Normal service was resumed shortly after with Graham Bott and Ryan Evans putting the county on the scoreboard with an assured 3/2 win against the opposition captain Quinney and his partner Wright.

After an encouraging start the third match got away from us and it was left to Sam Buss and Paul Hodgkiss to level things at lunch with a comfortable 3/2 win.

So to the afternoon singles with all to play for.

After losing the opening two holes to birdies, Ryan Evans soon recovered to mount his own birdie run in winning 5/4. This excellent start was backed up by the ever dependable Hodgkiss who played solid, uncomplicated golf to overcome an extremely strong opponent in Cardy. Paul’s match wasn‘t without drama though. Having won 14 and 15 with birdies to see Paul 3 up, Suffolk’s Cardy mounted a late run which saw him winning 16 and then finishing birdie – birdie to ask the question. Hodgkiss was more than up to the challenge however and calmly holed a 3 footer for closing birdie at the par 5 eighteenth to secure his 1 hole victory.

A very good start to the afternoon singles was soon to become an excellent one when Fraser Carnihan closed Soanes out with a 4/3 victory in a round of immaculate ball striking and solid putting.

Morris was again involved in a very tight battle. Having birdied 15 to go 2 up, his opponent Wright bounced back with his own birdie at 16 to close the margin to 1 with two to play. Morris wasn’t to be denied though and holed an immaculate chip from a cabbage lie to the left of 17 for an eagle 3 and a 2/1 winning margin. A great return to County golf for Morris.

This victory was simultaneous with Kyson Lloyd’s 4/2 success over the Suffolk captain. Quinney later admitted he had struggled to cope with Lloyd’s prodigious ball striking and length off the tee. Another excellent win for Lloyd against a quality opponent which maintains his unbeaten first team singles record.

So the first 5 afternoon singles had gone the County’s way to ensure a winning margin.

Despite huge effort from the remaining three lads, Buss, White and Bott, we were unable to add further to our tally with all three going down, losing 2 down, 2/1 and 5/4 respectively.

This wouldn’t take the gloss off an excellent team performance from a very talented and committed group of players, which has now secured back to back Anglian League victories.

We look forward with relish to our next encounter at Northants County G.C on Sunday 3rd July against Cambridgeshire.

I would urge you to come along and support your County at home, the standard of golf is excellent.

Best of luck to everyone in the County Championships at Wellingborough next Saturday, I will be looking at the results with keen interest.

Jim Campbell

NGU County Captain.

Foursomes

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 2 - 2 SUFFOLK

Singles

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 5 - 3 SUFFOLK

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