Bedfordshire v Cambridgeshire
5th May 2019
At Bedfordshire Golf Club
The annual match against Cambridgeshire for the Rhea Trophy was played at Bedfordshire Golf Club on Friday 5th May, conditions were fair and the course was presented in excellent condition. Given that greens renovation had taken place earlier in the week the putting surfaces were very good and we send our thanks to John Gubb and his green staff at BGC, we would also like to thank Bedfordshire Golf Club for hosting the match and looking after both teams during the day.
Teams - Bedfordshire
Beard and Brown
Mott and Hollands
Haines and Harris
Smith and Banwell
Caunt and Chivers
Kavanagh and Stokes
Cambridgeshire
Moore and Rusted
Yuill and Laughlin
Plumb and Burt
Goodman and Setchell
Petrie and Trench
Hayes and Poole
The match as always was played over 27 holes, morning Greensomes followed by afternoon Fourballs.
Always a very tight and competitive game Bedfordshire had their noses in front after the morning Greensomes 3.5 points to 2.5 points. Beard and Brown losing on the final hole 1 down, Mott and Hollands won 2 and 1, Haines and Harris won 4 up, Smith and Banwell lost 1 down, Caunt and Chivers halved and Kavanagh and Stokes won 3 and 2.
After lunch there was little change with change with some excellent golf being played the score was very close. Conditions became more difficult as the afternoon went on and we were extremely fortunate to miss some very heavy rain. The wind direction changed completely and before play had concluded the temperature had dropped significantly.
With two matches still out on the course Bedfordshire held a slender one point margin, Cambridge shire were not done and won both of the final matches to win by a point 9.5 to 8.5. It was terrific game played in great spirit and enjoyed by all but particularly Cambridgeshire.
In the afternoon Fourbals Beard and Brown halved, Mott and Hollands lost 2 and 1, Haines and Harris won 2 and 1, Smith and Banwell won 6 and 5 with Dave Banwell 3 under par when they shook hands! County and Chivers lost 2 and 1 and Kavanagh and also lost 2 and 1.
There really was some excellent golf played on the day by both sides and we look forward to attempting to regain the trophy next season.
Our next match is at home on Friday 17th May against Northamptonshire at The Bedford Golf Club.
John Haines
Bedfordshire County Seniors Captain.