Mens 1st Team v Shropshire & Herefordshire – Match Report
Warwickshire Team Selected:
Sam Easterbrook – Olton
Rob Bardsley – Moor Hall
Warren Bladon – Kenilworth
Fin Stokes – Maxstoke Park
Dan Bardsley – Moor Hall
Darryl Gwilliam – The Warwickshire
Will Bailey – Moor Hall
Stu Bloxham – Coventry Hearsall
Harrison Long – Moor Hall
Steve Creed – Stratford-on-Avon
Following a narrow 8-7 loss in last month’s fixture against Worcestershire, it was crucial to get back to winning ways against Shropshire & Herefordshire. The fixture was played at Bridgnorth golf club, a quirky opening few holes were followed by a tricky golf course, which meant finding the fairways would be a huge part to success throughout the day.
Opening the foursomes were the star-studded duo of Sam Easterbrook & Warren Bladon. They raced into a big lead early on, throwing in multiple birdies, along with an eagle. The S&H pair couldn’t get back into the match, and an easy 6&5 win was recorded.
Next up were Rob & Dan Bardsley. Again, they were involved in a close match, with neither team able to find a lead beyond 1up for most of the match. They stood on the tricky par 3 16th 1 down, Rob had to be aggressive following a good approach from the S&H pair. This led to a mistake, and a loss of hole. Following a half in pars down 17, the match was lost 2&1. Tying the overall match at 1-1.
In match 3, Fin Stokes & Darryl Gwilliam found themselves down early in the match. In typical fashion, they battled back to take the match into the last few holes. Finding themselves on the 18th tee 1 down, they couldn’t quite make the birdie required and ended up with a narrow loss.
In the penultimate match, Stu Bloxham & Harrison Long took on a gritty S&H pair. It was a close tussle throughout, with no pair finding a match winning lead. The match ended up going to 18, with the score tied. An exciting last hole gave S&H an opportunity to snatch the match. However, they couldn’t take their chance, and the match finished AS.
With Warwickshire 2.5 – 1.5 down, it was imperative that we got something out of the last match. Who better than Steve Creed, who was partnering Will Bailey for the first time. They had a narrow lead for most of the match but again the match found its way down the 18th hole. This time, it was Warwickshire that found themselves 1up. A fantastic approach by Steve Creed followed by a great lag putt from Will, meant they closed the match and won 1up.
Morning foursomes score Warwickshire 2.5 – 2.5 Shropshire & Herefordshire.
In the afternoon singles, Sam Easterbrook led the way. He found himself up early in the match, and never relented. The S&H man fought to keep the match alive for as long as possible but finally the match finished on 16, with a 3&2 win for Sam.
In the next 3 matches, Warwickshire were struggling early doors. Rob Bardsley, Warren Bladon & Fin Stokes all found themselves down at the halfway point. All showed moments of getting back in the match but couldn’t quite turn the games round. With Warren losing on the 17th, whilst Rob & Fin’s matches both ended in defeat on the 16th.
Warwickshire 3.5 – 5.5 Shropshire & Herefordshire.
The next 2 matches were now pivotal in Warwickshire getting back in the match. Darryl Gwilliam & Dan Bardsley were both battling out there to get the points required. Both players were playing well and found themselves with narrow leads. Darryl managed to close his game on the 17th, with a well needed win. However, Dan found himself on the 18th tee. He had a 1up lead and hit 2 great shots in to 18 to win the match 1up and tie the scores at 5.5 -5.5.
Unfortunately, as Darryl’s match finished, Stu Bloxham had lost his match – his opponent playing some fantastic golf and Stu just couldn’t quite find the answer to stay with him. Shortly after that, match 6 was finished too. Will Bailey came up against the solid S&H captain and unfortunately lost on the 15th hole.
This left Warwickshire 7.5 – 5.5 down needing both the final 2 matches to win to level the fixture at 7.5-7.5.
Harrison Long was in match 9, and led all the way, retaining his 2up lead for most of the match. He then won the 16th in front of the onlooking players to win the match 3&2.
This left Steve Creed on course needing to win for Warwickshire to get the draw. He lost the tricky 16th following a great putt from his S&H opponent. Meaning he got to the 17th all square. Both players gave themselves outside birdie opportunities but neither converted. A pulled drive down 18 left Creedy with a difficult 2nd shot, which he then left 40 yards short of the green. He pitched up to 15 feet for par, whilst the S&H player had 4 feet for his par. It didn’t look like it was going to happen but in typical Creedy fashion, he poured his putt in the centre, leaving the S&H man a tricky putt for the half and the overall match win. The putt looked to be drifting right, but found the edge, did a 360 and finally dropped in, heartbreaking!
Final score Warwickshire 7 – 8 Shropshire & Herefordshire.
