Sunday 8^th May saw me take charge of the County  2^nd team for the first time. I gathered a team of some experienced players and some promising younger players in the county to gain valuable experience which could see them progress to the 1^st team. After breakfast the teams set out on the foursome matches started by Ian Griffiths the County secretary. The matches were tight all the way round with three matches going down the 18^th hole. Unfortunately all of them went in favour of Nottinghamshire with them winning 1 up. The young pairing of Alex Emms and Louie Stott in the first match fought well but was beaten 4&3. The only point we managed to win was in match 4 with home player Lee Evans paired with Matty Ruffinato taking down their opposition 4&2. We were not too disheartened at lunch as the matches were close throughout the morning.

After a spot of lunch the teams were matched up for the traditional singles matches for the afternoon. Sending young Alex Emms out in match 1 secured himself and the team a well earned half point. James Howl-Newton picked up a nice win on debut (1up) and Dan Wakeman had a great 3&1 win in his match. Stourbridge’s very own Lee Evans topped a good day personally with an excellent 5&4 win in Match 6. Unfortunately those were the only points for the team as it quickly came apparent that the Nottinghamshire team was compiled of many plus Handicap index players which most first team squads would be proud of.  Nottinghamshire ran out well deserved winners at 4½ to 10½.

I’d like to thank the Captain of Stourbridge Golf Club who was there on the day, the whole catering and bar staff who looked after both teams excellently all day and the Greens staff who prepared the course very well with some smooth, good running greens.  Many thanks to Ian Griffiths for travelling up to support the team and for also popping over to support the under 14’s team at Churchill and Blakedown.  It was lovely to see Dave McDermott and his wife and Stuart and Debbie Pritchard who were there on Sunday morning to watch the teams tee off and then followed some of the holes. And finally, special thanks to my team who gave up their Sunday to play and who gave their best during the day. We were just beaten by the better team.

Mark Dunkley

2^nd Team Captain

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