Sale pair fight back to make last 32

SALE’S Julie Matthews credits former British senior amateur champion Cath Rawthore for their success in the Daily Mail Foursomes after the friends earned a place in the last 32. The Cheshire duo were giving 15 shots and came back from two down in searing heat to beat Judy Lovett and Carol Capstick 2&1 away at Bentham. It has been a busy summer for Rawthore, the 2014 senior amateur champion.

The plus one golfer was part of the winning England seniors team in the Home Internationals last week at Woodhall Spa and Matthews stressed that she has teamed up with quite the partner in the world’s largest amateur golf tournament. Matthews, off 12, said: ‘I’ve bagged myself a very, very good partner. ‘She’s very reliable and she has to put up with my nonreliable golf. She’s really steady. Occasionally I help but she does most of the hard work. ‘We enjoy playing together. We have been friends a long time too. Cath was the person who got me into golf. I think foursomes is a great format when you play well. It can be a bit tricky when you are not on your game, but when you have someone like Cath it helps.’ The pair have been tested throughout their winning run. They thought their time might be up in the fourth round when they were giving 16 shots and were four down at home against Lymm at the turn, but they dug deep and triumphed with a birdie at the first extra hole. They now face St Melyd at home for a place in the finals at Slaley Hall where the last 16 men’s and women’s pairs will battle it out to be crowned champions. www.slaleyhallhotel.com/golf/