The Somerset team made the long journey to Romsey to take on Hampshire Captains, led by Captain of Captains John Perkins. The course proved to be very enjoyable and the Club did a great job in hosting the match.
After a welcome from home Captain Matt Stevens, the pairings were announced by the Match Managers after a light lunch and battle commenced.
SGC Captain John Perkins and partner Matt Baker took on Matt Stevens and Hampshire Captain Idris Vernall in Match One. A slow start saw Somerset one down after 9 holes but John and Matt pulled away on the back nine, dovetailing nicely to lead by 3 holes. A comeback was checked by the Somerset pair who ran out 3&1 winners to make the best possible start.
Match Two saw President Iain Robertson and past President Roy Parmiter take on Ian Hibberd and Richard Pitman. After both teams started with a birdie, the visiting pair had to hang on to the Hampshire team’s cot tails, remaining only 1 down for a while. But Ian’s second birdie opened up a two-hole lead which Somerset could not close and they eventually lost 4&3.
Chris Reed and Vise-President Colin Davies took on Kevin White and Paul Childs in Match Three. The Somerset pair had a good front nine and held the lead but the back nine saw the home team come back in to the frame and a great match was eventually halved.
Rob Fear and Phil Barrett looked like a strong pairing against Allen Leach and Pete Chase in Match Four. On what was a tight track, a tight match ensued and there was never more than one hole in it. Perhaps it was fate that the match would go all the way with the home pair winning the 18th to secure the half.
Geoff Rooke and Nigel Phillips took on Ken Jones and Alan Peters in Match Five and the Somerset pair raced in to a four hole lead. Although the home team rallied to level the match, Geoff and Nigel were not to be denied and ran out winners on the 16th green by 3&2. The sausage roll at the halfway house was well received!
With a good lead in the overall match beginning to materialise, Rich Bartin and Steve Butterfield faced Andy Hoult and Peter Applegate in Match 6. The Somerset paired worked very well as a team and never really allowed Andy and Peter a look in. The match ended with a resounding 6&5 win for the Somerset pair.
With an away win very much on the cards, George Davis and Mike Poole took on Martin Bennet and Brian Homersham in Match 7. George and Mike edged in front and kept their nerve to record the all important point for Somerset with a 2&1 win in a great match.
Lst out in Match 8 were Match Manager Mike Rossiter and Maddie Casson up against Barry Stevens and Andy Prater. Mike’s driver and Maddie’s putter refused to behave and the home pair took advantage of this running out 3&2 winners.
An away win by 5 points to 3 was a great result for John and the team and the trophy was retained. The team all enjoyed the course and the Hampshire hospitality.
