County Week 2018

This year it was Nottinghamshire’s turn to host the Midlands North Region Inter-County Matches, which were held at a Notts Golf Club, Hollinwell from June 25th - 29th. We arrived on the Sunday in glorious sunshine for a practice round, the course was in great condition with preparations in full flow prior to the Open Final Qualifier due to be played on the Tuesday following County Week.

Our first match on Monday was played against Leicestershire, it was very close in the morning foursomes with two matches going to the 18th, however Nottinghamshire ended the morning 2-1 down. As the afternoon temperature rose, Nottingamshire turned up the heat on Leicestershire and won the singles 5-1 resulting in a 6-3 win.

Tuesday was another hot sunny day when we played Staffordshire, unfortunately we were 3-0 down at lunch but the team fought back well and earned four wins narrowly losing the match 5-4.

We awoke on Wednesday, to a misty fairly cool morning, providing an opportunity for the team to wear our new team jumpers, kindly sponsored by Acorn Windows. We were without Lauren Spray and Emily Cheshire who both had to return to work , Emma Howie coming in for the day against Lincolnshire. Unfortunately, our luck again deserted us in the foursomes going down 2-1. Once again we started the afternoon singles, the sun now beating down, with high hopes of turning the match round but unfortunately we managed only 2 wins losing the match 6-3.

Our match on Thursday was against Shropshire, Sophie Newlove and Esme Hamilton won their match 6&5, giving the team extra encouragement. The two remaining foursomes matches both went to the 18th, Rachel Boulton and Libby Kilbride, who eagled the last, halved their match with Caron Harrison and Kristina Lazarevic winning 2 up, earning a lead of 2½-½ at lunchtime. Our strength in the singles again shone through in the afternoon, with wins for Kristina, Libby, Sophie and Emma all by comfortable margins, resulting in a 6½ - 2½ win to Nottinghamshire.

On Friday, the final day, four teams, including ourselves, were in with a chance of winning the trophy, Notts played Derbyshire who were leading with 3 points overall knowing a win would take them through to County Finals. We welcomed back Lauren and Emily when yet again it was another very hot day. All three foursomes matches were close with two matches halved, however Nottinghamshire went into the afternoon session 2-1 down. During the afternoon we were treated to some excellent golf, coupled with a flyover by the Red Arrows. Sophie and Lauren closed out their singles matches early 6&5, followed by a win from Esme Hamilton leaving the match at 4 points each awaiting the result of the final game involving Rachel Boulton who went down the last 1down. Rachel went on to eagle the final hole taking half a point which re-sulted in Derbyshire joining Staffordshire and Lincolnshire in a tie for the overall winner, with all three Counties on 3½ points each.

The result therefore went to countback which resulted in Staffordshire and Lincolnshire ending level on number of games won and also halving their match against each other. Under the rules of the competition the winner is decided by the drawing of lots, which went to Staffordshire. Congratulations to Staffordshire who now go forward to County Finals and we wish them every success.
Glenys Priestley
County Captain