In our inaugural annual friendly against Cambridgeshire, we came up against an extremely strong side, keen to make a positive showing. Barkway park was a totally new venue to us, and on a fine spring day, with hardly any wind, still managed to play its full length of 6,924 yds! Cambridgeshire had used the course before for an Anglian league match and used their knowledge of it well. The greens were in excellent condition and rolling very true, so no complaints about the condition of the course.
The morning greensomes were a pretty tight affair with all bar the top match being contested right to the end. Initially it looked as though results were going to go against us, but a fighting half from Alan Wright and Rob Westgate, and good wins in the last two matches brought us back into contention. Special mention for Mick Parrett on his debut, putting in a good performance partnering Charlie Snelling to a 2&1 win.
I think Cambridgeshire must have put something in the food at lunchtime, as the afternoon fourballs were a near complete rout! We played Anglian league scoring rules, so 2 points for a win and 1 for a half, and fortunately my partner Pete Dobson and I won 18th to force a half. Pete put in a terrific performance, playing well all day, he's going to be a great asset to our team this year. I know our boys gave everything, and never gave up, but the opposition proved far too strong for us on the day. We look forward to bringing them to Bedfordshire next year and returning the compliment!
Steve Montague
Senior Captain
Note: The Intelligent Golf Software does not support this match format. The morning round was Greensomes not Foursomes as shown, and according to the Anglian League points scoring system Cambridgeshire won 14½ - 3½.