The day was sunny, the wind was quiet, and things seemed to be set fair for a great day of golf. Somerset, under the excellent match management of Maddie Casson, assembled at Henbury Golf Club with Marcus as Captain for the day.
The teams were announced and the competitors set off for the first tee. The course was in fantastic condition as Marcus Woodward and Clive Stilwell played against Trevor Stewart and Chris Dooley in the first match. Gloucestershire were quick off the blocks and Somerset never recovered. Clive’s eagle at the 5th (he will tell you all about it if you ask) slowed the gap down but it was always uphill, and Somerset lost 5 and 3.
In the second match David Andow and Mike Poole played Jim Ford and Phil Payne. The sheer excellence of our team was exceeded by the brilliance of the opposition especially on the last four holes and another loss of 2 and 1 was recorded.
In a competitive match played in a wonderful spirit Mike Usher-Clark and Steve Butterfield managed to pull back from being 4 down to a loss of 2 and 1 against David Elliott and Geoff Anderson. A ‘top drawer’ game.
In match 4 Ian Gover and Barry Saunders played the home captain Fergus Dolan and Gav Offard. In what was a close match, level after 12 holes, Fergus then showed all how to play the game and with 2 birdies opened a lead that was not to be overcome. In a kind way Fergus lined up all of Gav’s putts but failed to line up any of Somerset’s putts! Somerset lost 3 and 2.
Martin Morgan and Bob Acland played Alan Veitch and Ian Smith in the fifth match. Somerset were quickly 2 down but then held on with a birdie from Bob being equalled by Ian’s chip. Played by a group of gentlemen who were also good golfers!
Brendan Nunan and Kevin Rigby for Gloucestershire played Mark Moorfoot and Bob Smith in the sixth match. With the Gloucs team dovetailing like 2 lovebirds they played scintillating golf. Somerset held on but age told in the end and Somerset lost 4 and 3.
You may have noticed something about the way in which the matches were going, and Somerset were now 6 down. Would the final two matches given any glimmer of hope?
Maddie Casson and George Davis played Colin Stokes and Joe Hastings with one player from Gloucestershire only realising that he only had half his clubs as he walked down the first. Fortunately the car park was close and on retrieving his club played in a close match that was up and down all the way. However Somerset ended up losing 3 and 2.
Rob Darvell and Geoff Rooke ground out a win against Steve Yemm and Mike Holder despite the interesting bounces. The only win for Somerset in the match!
Marcus was pleased to hand over the trophy to the Gloucestershire Captains in what was after last year’s downpour at Clevedon a wonderful day played in the spirit that all matches should be with Henbury Golf Club being great hosts.
