Abbie and Lottie hoping to give Ipswich a dream victory

IPSWICH’S Abbie Symonds and Lottie Whyman moved a step closer to their dream of winning the Daily Mail Foursomes by reaching the final day of this year’s tournament at Marriott St Pierre.

The pair, who both play for Suffolk and have the lowest combined handicap of five in the women’s competition, got off to a good start by beating Rugby’s Sue Jones and Debbie Harrad 4&3 in the last 16.

They then won 4&2 over Sheelah Ayliffe and Helen Frankpitt from Bovey Tracey to reach the semi-finals, where they face Sharon Steadman and Donna Callaghan Swann from Hooton Ladies today.

Symonds, 21, said: ‘It would mean everything if we could win. It would be cool to be the best woman foursomes partnership in the country.’

Meanwhile, Petersfield’s Henry Holland and Ross Lobacz had to deal with some nervous moments to fulfil their goal of reaching the last four.

The pair beat Sene Valley’s Andrew Franks and Wayne Mack 5&4 in the last 16 before a close contest against Brian Moulder and Richard Lamper from Stinchcombe Hill.

After being pegged back from five up after seven to all square Holland needed to sink a pressure putt from a foot and half to par the 17th to go one up and said: ‘That was the most nerves I’ve ever had on the course.’

The duo parred the last to win two up and now face Hurlston Hall’s Keith Ellis and Nick Lewis.

Lobacz said: ‘This is like our Ryder Cup. With people watching you get a bit jellyarmed and the nerves start going.’

Former runners-up Luke Burrows and Matthew Peyton, from Cosby, continued their quest to lift the trophy by winning through to face Lechworth’s Daniel Ellis Banbury and Colin Pearce in today’s semi-finals. But there was disappointment for fellow 2015 finalists Leigh Gawley and Rees Brown, from Hornsea, who went out to Vale of Llangollen’s Chris Platt and Kingsley Evans. For all the results go to: dailymail.co.uk/sport