On Sunday 12^th of May Bedfordshire travelled to Chelmsford Golf Club to face a very strong Essex side in the opening game of the SE Group County League match.

The morning foursomes were very closely contested with Bedfordshire earning a very good 2-2 draw.

A special mention to young Jack Manley playing in his first County First Team game and winning his first point. It was a combination of the two Jacks (Manley and Hawksby) that took out a very strong Essex pair.

Match of the morning must go to Greg Osbourne and Rob Dobson for winning on the last with a great up and down. They were 5 under par and showed Essex that Bedfordshire don’t give up.

Unfortunately Norman and Seb lost to a birdie on the last after being 1 up most of the game. Seb played some scintillating golf in the morning.

Scott Armitage and Olly Bryant just could not get going and the slow greens did not help. The first defeat for what’s become a very strong foursomes pair.

The team went into the singles knowing how tough it was going to be. Essex are the raining League champs and were going to come out all guns blazing.

Seb Lovell went out number 1 and did not disappoint, taking out local player Josh Read 3&2. Essex were now worried!

Match two saw Scott Armitage get off to a great start getting up early. Could this really happen? But local man Brandon Meads got very hot with the putter and turned it up around the turn and Scott just could not hold on loosing 4&3.

Match 3 saw Norman Cilliers taking on the Essex Captain Jamie Richards, after loosing the first, Norman bounced back with 3 birdies in the next 4 holes and managed to keep ahead and wining 4&3. Could this really happen?

Match 4 had the morning Hero Greg Osbourne against long time Essex player Ross Dee, an up and down match going all the way to the last. Greg was giving it everything! So close yet so far, Greg lost the last to loose 1 down. Was the tide changing?

Match 5 had Olly Bryant against an on form Callum Pipe, Olly was the first to admit that he did not bring his A game to the match, loosing 4&2. Now it was 5/4 to Essex.

Match 6 was a battle of the titans, Jack Hawksby off +3 against Curtis Knipes +4. With plenty of birdies and Curtis knocking it in from everywhere. Jack took it all the way to the 17^th and shaving the hole with his put to take it down the last, unfortunately loosing 2&1. Great effort Hawk.

Match 7 had another morning hero Rob Dobson against Andy May. Rob went 4 down after 5, got it back to 1 down before Andy turned it on and won 5&3.

Final match had young Jack Manley against the oldest serving Essex player Ricky Lee. Jack played great golf and was only 1 down at the turn. He then saw just how tough First team golf is. Ricky rolled in a few long putts and before he knew it, it was game over, 4&3. Welcome to the team Jack.

Match Result in full.

Foursomes.

NORMAN CILLIER & SEB LOVELL V BRANDON MEADS & JOSH READ - 1UP TO ESSEX

JACK HAWKSBY & JACK MANLEY V CURTIS KNIPES & CALLUM PIPE - 3&2 TO BEDFORDSHIRE

ROB DOBSON & GREG OSBOURNE V JAMIE RICHARDS & ROSS DEE - 1UP TO BEDFORDSHIRE

SCOTT ARMITAGE & OLLY BRYANT V ANDY MAY & RICKY LEE - 4&3 TO ESSEX

Singles.

SEB LOVELL V JOSH READ – 3&2 TO BEDFORDSHIRE

SCOTT ARMITAGE V BRANDON MEADS -4&3 TO ESSEX

NORMAN CILLIERS V JAMIE RICHARDS -4&3 TO BEDFORDSHIRE

GREG OSBOURNE V ROSS DEE – 1UP TO ESSEX

OLLY BRYANT V CALLUM PIPE – 4&2 TO ESSEX

JACK HAWKSBY V CURTIS KNIPES – 2&1 TO ESSEX

ROB DOBSON V ANDY MAY – 5&3 TO ESSEX

JACK MANLEY V RICKY LEE – 4&3 TO ESSEX

MATCH SCORE: 8-4 TO ESSEX

First Team Manager Norman Cilliers could not thank the team enough for the effort. Team spirit and atmosphere was brilliant and Essex knew they were pushed.

Well done team.

A special thank you must go to County President Les Tucker, Junior Manager Martin Mc Dermot and Dave Manley for their support on the day. The team appreciates the help and support.

We now travel to Seacroft Golf Club for the Inter Counties Foursomes Championships from 17-19 of May.   

Norman Cilliers

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