Yorkshire Boys Beat Lancashire Boys
This match, the third in our Northern Counties League was played at Hull Golf Club on a sunny day, no rain!!
Both teams were welcomed by the General Manager, Jonathan Clark on behalf of the members and he looked after both teams wonderfully. The course was presented in excellent condition for which both teams were full of praise especially for the greens which were excellent.
In our first game, our Captain Jonty Butcher was partnered by Josh Stephens got off to a good start winning the first with a birdie, however, gave it back on the next with a bogey. A run of three 3’s at four, five & six gave them a 3Up lead. Sadly, the Lancashire pair could not make any inroads to reducing the lead and lost 5&4. A new pairing of Dan Henbest and Ollie Scott were out second and with no more than 1Up in it either way for most of the game and after winning the eleventh they took control and won 2&1. Theo and Ewan couldn’t really get going and were 2Down after the third and 4Down after eleven pulling a couple of holes back to lose 2&1. George and Archie on their own admission played poorly and lost 5&4. In our final game we had Will and Oscar who were slow in getting going losing early holes to be 2Down after five, but with a couple of wins with pars at six and seven they were back to level and turned at 1Up. They were never in front on the back nine until the final hole which they birdied to win the game 1Up.
Lunch score: Yorkshire 3 – Lancashire 2
Jonty led the way in the afternoon against Aaron Lavelle losing the second to be 1Down where it remained until the seventh winning it with a par. Jonty went ahead at the pond hole tenth and that’s where it remained until the end winning 3&1. Dan took control of his game at eight and nine going 2Up where it pretty much remained winning 2&1. Theo managed to tie his game. Josh had a great game against Tom Prescott with them having 10 birdies between them, but alas Tom could not budge Josh who came out on top winning 2&1. Ollie played steady golf and took his game 6&5. Sadly, it was not Ewan’s day losing 5&4. Archie had a battle on his hands and having been 3Down after eleven, he fought back to take his game on the last with a terrific eagle 3 and win 1Up. George played some indifferent golf to win 4&3. Oscar was 2Up in the front nine, but again his opponent Oliver through a few threes at him in the back nine to win 3&2. In our final game Will was in control from the start going 2Up after three finishing his game 3&1.
Final Score: Yorkshire 10.5 – Lancashire 4.5
Once again, we had a great match, played in the true spirit of the game and it could have gone either way especially when in the singles six of the games got to the seventeenth. A big thank you to Hull Golf Club, especially Jonathan Clark, the General Manager for providing both teams with all that was required for the day.
Well played to my team, Team Yorkshire for a terrific win and for retaining the Roses Challenge Salver presented by Jay Whittam in 2010.
Philip Woodcock
