Cumbria , pointless in the three previous matches, played host to Lancashire at Workington on Saturday.
The early matches set off in steady drizzle which gradually fizzled out as the clouds lifted. Cumbria were evidently in a determined mood and were soon up in 5 of the 6 Foursome matches. But as the morning progressed Lancashire started to pull back and overtake Cumbria. Bowe & Crookall-Nixon , who had been 3 up at 9, lost 2 down to Towndrow and Kinnear. Cumbria managed two ties before Millray & Spence chipped in with a 7 & 6 victory. At lunch Lancashire led 4-2.
The afternoon singles saw Cumbria fight back. Bowe beat Towndrow 2 & 1. Seb Crookall-Nixon found himself dormie 5 down then won the next 3 holes ,before the comeback ended in misery in a bunker on 17. Silloth's John Longcake played well to record a 6 &5 victory over Kinnear.
Nicky Bell managed a half with Wilson then David Simpson turned the tables on Kenright to win 3 & 1, having been 1 down. When James Atkinson recorded a victory by 1 hole over Brooks, Cumbria were leading in the match, 6.5 to 5.5 and the impossible thought of a victory started to permeate through the many Cumbrian supporters in evidence on the course.
Geoff Nixon, having led by 1 hole at 16 , lost the next two to lose by 1 hole. and then Andrew Edwards crashed to a 6 & 5 defeat. Lancashire were now leading by 1 point. Cumbria's Millray was leading at the 13th by 5 holes only to see the lead frittered away by Michael Hunt and this match incredibly ended tied. Rob Spence having led by 1 hole, then fell behind but was given a tie when his opponent missed a 3 foot putt on the 18th.
With Morrow losing 4 & 3 and Little winning by the same margin , Cumbria had to concede defeat by 9.5 to 8.5. Captain Martin Hand was understandebly deflated by this outcome. " It was a very close match and the team is to be complimented on keeping the pressure on a talented Lancashire team throughout the match. Having said that" he added" this is a match we could and should have one . There are things we can take out of it as we approach out last match against Northumberland at Furness at the end of the month."
Tom Stout
President
Carlisle beat Workington in the final match of the Premier Division of the Scratch League by 7 points to 5 , thereby winning the League by a single point , with Silloth coming third.
Cumbria have announced their team to compete in the EGU English Boys County Finals at Goswick in Northumberland against Derbyshire, Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire, played from 24th to 26th August.
Dan Park, Kirkby Lonsdale Captain,
Christopher Thursby Carlisle
Carl Johnstone, Carlilse
Seb Crookall-Nixon, Workington,
Keiran Waters , Carlisle
Oliver Carr, Ulverston,
Ryan Pearson, Workington.
Cumbria won the right to represent the Northern Counties in this event, by winning the Northern Counties Qualifier at Furness. This is the first time in their 50 years of existence that they have won their way through.The format is a Round Robin Matchplay.
The Cumbria Union is trying to trace all past county players in order to invite them to participate in a Past Players Centenary Stableford Competition at Furness Golf Club on 4th September. Any former player or member of the current County, Junior or Senior teams is eligible to play and should contact the Countythrough their clubs who have the details.
Tom Stout
President/Secretary
Cumbria Union.
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