Josh & Jack win at ‘splendid’ Wilmslow
WILMSLOW Golf Club were their usual immaculate and splendid hosts for the Northern Counties League fixture between Cheshire and Cumbria.
The course was impeccable and a joy to experience for the players and Wilmslow provided their usual excellent support and hospitality on a very hot day backed by plenty of Cheshire officials all suitably hydrated.
It was a new-look Cheshire team with several players making their county match debuts backed by top class and very experienced support from team regulars Captain Jon Beesley (Mere), Josh Sims (Caldy) and Chris Chilton (High Legh Park.
The morning foursomes saw some close matches before victories for Josh Sims and Jack Nicholson (Vicars Cross) two up, Kris Towers (Crewe) and Luke Yardley (Stockport) one up, Ollie Claireaux (Delamere Forest) and Paul McFerran (Warrington) 4/2, Tom Duncalf (Sandiway) and Dominic O’Brien (Warrington) 3/1 and halves by Jon Beesley and Chris Chilton and Haminder Matharu and Matt Birch (Wilmslow) gave Cheshire a commanding 5-1 lead going into the afternoon singles.
It was even steven in the first four matches with wins for Jack Nicholson 3/2 and Josh Sims 6/5 being cancelled by defeats for Luke Yardley one down and Jon Beesley 3/2.
Then the Cheshire middle order took total control with wins for Chris Chilton one up,
Kris Towers 3/2, Ollie Claireaux 4/3, Paul McFerran 4/2, Tom Duncalf 2/1 and Matt Birch 2/1.
Cumbria got some deserved consolation for their efforts as they won the last two matches against Haminder Matharu and Dominic O Brien, both by one up, to complete an excellent 13-5 win by Cheshire showing their depth in talent at this level.
Cheshire skipper Jon Beesley was glad to have Cheshire Boys Captain Ben Currie (Wilmslow) on his bag during one of the hottest days for golf in 2022 and Wilmslow Captain Berkeley Thirsk gave his great support throughout a long day.
Alderley Edge’s men played for the Challenge Cup and Chris Chatfield was unstoppable with a stunning 61 to finish ahead of Matthew Cresey 64 and Paul Penney 66.
The A Pass Trophy at Edge also had a clear winner in David Read who posted an impressive 40 to finish ahead of David McBride 34 and Dennis Coombs 33.
Edge’s ladies were in medal mode and Olwen Davies topped division one with a neat 70, four less than Karen Pennington.
In division two Justine Jackson led in with 70 from Claire Roberts and Rose Ramahlo, both 74 and the 9-hole winner was Angela Atkinson after a cpo on 18 with Alison Roberts.
Avro ladies played for the Joyce Atkinson Trophy and Janet Scullion with 65 from Denise Horton 66 and Ruth Arthur 68.
The 9-hole winner was Doreen McGarrie with 16.
Avro’s men played two trophy competitions and the Peter Knight Trophy was won by Ian Arthur with 41 from Jack Leach 39 and Dave Kettlewell, Bob Holt and Paul Johnson , all 37.
Next up was the P Lightfoot Trophy and a cpo on 39 went in favour of Peter Walker from Ian Anderson and Bill Strachan.
A midweek Stableford at Davenport saw Scott Johnston win a cpo 39 from Stuart Davenport, one more than Stuart Johnston.
A Three Man Team Stableford, supporting the Davenport assistant pro, had the hot trio of N Parker, P Crosby and P Enstone posting 92 to finish three clear of A Oldham, I White and P Robinson.
A 9-hole Stableford for Davenport
ladies had Dorothy Rawford in control with 20 from Kath Clinton 17 and Marjorie Altringham 16.
A midweek medal at Mottram Hall was won by Neil Duckworth 73 from Tom Daniels and Bob Kwan, both 75.
Macclesfield’s men enjoyed a Texas Scramble and none more than the fab four of P Bowden, R Cartlegde, D Clewley and T Brindley who led in with an impressive 50.0.
A BB Stableford for Prestbury’s men was won by R Bradbury and J Hodgson 44 from M Williams and V Dave 43 and D Smyth and S Simmons who won a cpo on 41 from three other pairs.
Macc ladies played the Mary Williams Stableford and Frances Wilbraham was in a league of her own with a fantastic 46, seven clear of Sarah Wild and Carol Hyde.
Prestbury ladies played a Maximum Score medal and Elaine Fawkes led in with 68 from Nicky Markland, Jean Duncan and Carol Hulme, all 70.
The 9-hole winner was Christine Smith 29, from Shirley Davies 30.
A BB Stableford for Prestbury’s men was won by R Bradbury and J Hodgson 44 from M Williams and V Dave 43 and D Smyth and S Simmons who won a cpo on 41 from three other pairs.
Styal’s men played a BB Stableford for the Challenge Trophy and a tense cpo on 41 was won by J Whatley and J Weston from P Millatt and D Lamb, J and M Doyle, D O’Reilly and M Burchell and S Harrison and G Matthews.
Styal Seniors played a Waltzing Team Stableford and posting a Fab-u-lous 84 were J Pickerill, P Brown and B Weems, one more than D O’Neill, P Jones and S Atherton.
The Wednesday medal at Styal was won by Mike Waring 65 two less than Stephen Beck, Damian Moran and Mark Bury.
The latest Summer Cup qualifier for Styal ladies was won by Joan Doyle 21 from Chris Pogson 18 and Diana Hutchinson 17.