Stunning success gives Durham a flier

Durham enjoyed a magnificent opening win over Cheshire to start their Northern Counties League campaign in style.

Tyneside Golf Club suited the Durham squad, who won all six foursomes matches in the morning on the way to a resounding 13.5-4.5 triumph.

Bishop Auckland pair James Glenn and Jamie Birkbeck got Durham off to a flier in the top match, winning 3&2, a scoreline matched by James Wilson (Tyneside) and South Moor’s Chris Handy.

Boldon’s Gavin Nesbit teamed up with Michael Henson of Bishops Auckland for a two-hole victory, then Martin McCririck (South Shields) and Tyneside’s Kris Rae edged home 2&1.

Durham City’s Andy Bell and Stefan Labuschagne (Bishop Auckland) secured the biggest foursomes win, cruising to a 5&4 success, before Stuart Brown of Castle Eden and Heworth’s Will Marshall made it 6-0 with a two-hole win.

Durham tied up the overall victory with four wins in the first five singles matches, courtesy of Glenn (3&2), Wilson (5&4), Birkbeck (3&2) and Nesbit (2&1).

Handy went down 3&1 and Henson was outgunned 4&2, while Rae managed a half.

Further victories from McCririck (3&1), Labuschagne (one hole) and Bell (one hole) leftthevisitorsreeling,though they snatched consolation wins in the final two matches, beating Marshall by two holes and Brown 3&2.

Durham next visit Hornsea to take on Yorkshire on June 16. Yorkshire beat Northumberland 11-7 away on Saturday.