Gloucestershire Golf Union
Second Team WIN first Wessex League of the season!
The 2nd team travelled to Builth Wells Golf Club at the weekend to start their defence of the Wessex League against Brecon & Radnor. A tricky course faced the team with some tight driving holes, no par 5's and with all 6 of the par 3's being on odd numbered holes strategy in the morning foursomes would turn out to be key.
In fact the morning foursomes could not have turned out any better with the County winning all 4 matches to get off to a terrific start. Kieran Sutton and Josh Denley who was returning to the County fold after several years away had a very good close match eventually winning 2&1. Up next were Ryan Prosser and Lewis Stalley and after sharing the first few holes they pulled away mid round by holing some long putts to take command of the game before winning by a 5&4 margin.
Match 3 was Enzo Cryer and Neil Tocknell who got off to a good start going a couple up early and stayed in control despite being clawed back to only 1 up towards the end of the front nine before pulling away again for a 4&3 victory. In the final foursomes match Charlie Taylor-Madge and Lee Hanson also got off to a fast start before being clawed back mid round but some steady play on the back nine ensured they held on for a 2&1 victory and a great mornings work by all.
With the weather changing from sunshine in the morning to thunder with the odd heavy shower scattered amongst the sun and humid temperatures the afternoon singles was a closer affair and more of a battle.
The Brecon and Radnor team fought back well in the afternoon singles and great credit goes to their team for this and they managed to win this element of the match 4.5 to 3.5.
Kieran Sutton had a very close match with his opponent which went all the way to the 18th before eventually being halved, Lewis Stalley was down early and never managed to claw his way back level, eventually being defeated 2&1. Josh Denley got off to a great start and was 3 up at one stage before being pulled back and ending up halving his match as the heavens well and truly opened on the 18th tee. Ryan Prosser was well beaten 4&3 in his match but this was quickly cancelled out by Enzo Cryer who had a thumping 6&5 victory to claim his 2nd point of the day. Captain Neil Tocknell was 3 up after 8 holes but a terrific fightback from his opponent on the back nine meant he had to win the last to salvage a half point which was probably a fair result. Charlie Taylor-Madge was up against some inspired play from his opponent in the rain and was defeated 5&3 before Lee Hanson who was down early in his match turned it around to claim a fine 5&4 victory in the last match of the singles.
The overall match result being Brecon & Radnor 4.5 Gloucestershire 2nd Team 7.5
Special thanks to Vice President Richard Salter for keeping me updated with the scores and keeping the team hydrated during the day and the Brecon & Radnor for a match played in great spirit. The bar and catering staff and members of Builth Wells GC who made us very welcome along with the team in the pro shop on both days.
Thanks also to my team for making the long drive, some of you getting up very early on the morning of the match and some arriving Saturday evening, it really does show a great team ethic and unity and makes everything run more smoothly, a great team spirit!
FULL MATCH RESULTS HERE
Neil Tocknell - 2nd Team Captain
Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.
