SGC match Report versus Sussex – Mendip Spring 3rd September 2025
Whether it’s climate change or something else, the home fixture against Sussex at Mendip Spring saw some incredible weather delay the start for 20 minutes or so. Flooded greens and lightning were not enough to stop the match eventually going ahead and Somerset Captain John Perkins rallied his team, determined to halt a run of halved matches. Sussex were in the middle of their tour and despite Somerset’ hopes, they looked fresh and ready to go (perhaps because the hotel closed the bar early the previous night?).
Mendip Spring Club Captain Jackie Richards welcomed all of the players to the Club and wished everyone an enjoyable day. The Match Managers had completed the calculations of strokes to be received and given, and the team were announced just as the weather relented.
John Perkins and Jackie Richards led out the Somerset team in Match One against Sussex Captain Richard Jays and his partner Harold Knight. It was hoped that Jackie’s home knowledge would count for something and so it proved with Somerset drawing first blood with a comfortable 3&2 win in a match where the home pair were always looking the most likely to win.
Match Two saw Colin Davies and Rob Darvell take on the Sussex pair of Richard Bevan and Phillip Williamson. Colin admitted that it was not his best day and with Rob’s putter being decidedly cold, it was always an uphill battle for the Somerset pair. The Sussex pair, however, combined well all the way through the match and a 3&2 loss was the inevitable outcome which tied the overall score at 1-1.
Steve Dowden and Marcus Woodward were next for Somerset against Phil Manser and Mick Grimmett although this group teed off a little later due to some travel problems from Saltford! A great game was enjoyed by the two teams and it was up and down throughout. Steve and Marcus managed to get to the 18th one up and a half there was enough to grab Somerset another point and put them ahead. Could we win?
In match Four, Somerset’s Rob Fear and Geoff Rooke took on Andy Lamb and Ken Penfold for Sussex. A close match was probably decided through holes 11-14 with Andy making 4 on the difficult 11th being a key moment for the Sussex pair. Despite a par from Rob on the 12th into a ferocious wind, it was only enough to halve the hole and Andy’s short game skills kept the Sussex pair ahead. The match finished on the 17th with a 2&1 win for Sussex.
Match Five pitted Mark Necker and Glyn Sewell against Keith Hayward and John Luke. Despite a good start from the Somerset pair, they began to fall behind with 4 holes on the trot going to Sussex around the turn. Some good golf from Mark wasn’t enough to recover the big deficit and a birdie on the 14th from Keith settled the outcome with a 5&4 win for Sussex and lead of 3-2 in the overall standings.
Match 6 was a clash of Secretaries with Somerset’s Clive Stilwell and Sussex’s Ian Potter and their partners Dave Boulton and Bev Legg respectively taking to the tee. An early gross birdie was cancelled out by a net birdie on the 2nd and so the game see-sawed with Ian and Bev using their shots well and Clive and Dave hanging on as best they could. The 14th looked to be decisive when Dave rolled in a long putt for a two only for Bev to follow in him in for a net 2 and a half. Pars on 15 and 16 put the Somerset pair dormy two ahead but back came Sussex with a win on the 17th. As it was only the second hole without shots being given the Somerset pair felt confident, only to dump both tee shots in the water. However, Dave made a brilliant up and own to snatch a half hole and win by 1 hole. At 3-3 the overall match was beautifully poised.
Roy Parmiter and Mike Robinson were out in Match Seven against Des Malcolm and Niall Addison. The Somerset pair were giving lots of shots (35 in total!) and the task proved too much with Sussex running out 4&2 winners despite Roy and Mike doing all that they could to stay in the match.
Match Manager Bob Acland and partner Rich Bartin were out in the final group playing Mitch Clarke and Andy Plowright. The home pair were just ahead after 9 holes but could not keep their noses in front. Sussex grabbed the win on the 17th hole by 2&1 and also the overall match 5-3.
After the players had dried themselves off and enjoyed the excellent meal, the glory of the win was celebrated by the Sussex team who were delighted with the course and the overnight accommodation ahead of their round at Clevedon the following day. Somerset will look to avenge the defeat on their 2026 tour to Sussex and Surrey!
