On Saturday 18^th August Bedfordshire hosted Essex in our last league game of the season at South Beds golf club on what proved to be the hottest day of the year so far.

Rob Sutton and Paul Kenna led the way for Bedfordshire and got off to the best of starts dominating the front nine and winning 5&4. Ross Jones and Chris Spooner played in the second match and were punished by a strong Essex pairing for the slightest mistake finally losing 5&3. Matt Hill and Gary Munro had a hard fought contest taking it to the last but also lost, putting Bedfordshire 2-1 down. The final pairing of Charlis O’Brian and Miguel Moitas knew how important that last point was and battled hard to level the foursomes 2-2.

All square at lunch and for the first time since the opening game of the season against Hertfordshire we were close enough to our opposition to believe a second win of the season was within our reach. By the time the lads started the singles the temperature was knocking the 30’s so concentration was going to play a big part in determining who was going to take the points.

Robb and Matt went out one and two and this proved a wise managerial decision both winning and giving us the early advantage we had looked for. Chris went third and stayed in touch until the final few holes finally going down 3&1.

Paul at four went the distance in what proved to be a pivotal game, coming so close to chipping in on eighteen to win but taking a vital half in a great match. Ross at five never really got into his game but Charlie playing game seven took his 5&4 to compensate.

At this point there were only two games on the course with Bedfordshire 5.5 points and Essex 4.5 a point from one of these games would give us victory.Gary Munro playing in only his second game for Bedfordshire was left with the chance to secure this point. A great finish being one down on sixteen, nicked seventeen to level and then to go down the par five last all square. Gary hit a great drive and second to leave himself 80 yards in, his opponent had found a fairway bunker with his second and had no way of getting to the green with his third, finally leaving it short and in heavy rough.

A nice chip then left Gary a twenty - foot downhill putt for birdie and the match, Scott Brace from Essex who played a great part in this game narrowly missed getting up and down finally holing out for a six which left us with two putts for victory. Gary took his time over the putt being careful not to run it past, but in doing this left it five foot short, however with great credit and confidence he rolled it in to secure a great win for the Bedfordshire team. Miguel who was three down with three to play was unaware of what was happening thinking it all may hinge on himself, he birdied sixteen and seventeen to battle back but lost out on the last.

Great credit must go, not only to Chris Spooner and Paul Kenna who stood in at the last minute to play but to all that did play and have played for Bedfordshire this season. A great team spirit and togetherness have enabled us to have a good season in the league winning two out of four against very strong opposition. My thanks go to all that have helped me through my first season as first team manager and I look forward to progressing the Bedfordshire team as far as I can next season.

Dave Weedon, Team Manager.

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