2012 Match Report
Worcestershire 2nds Versus Leicestershire 2nds
Played at The Abbey Hotel & Golf Club, Sunday 4th March
We arrived at a wet and very windy Abbey Park Hotel, with a very young & on paper strong county 2nd side for this our first of two friendlies for the 2012 season. Both teams were given a very warm welcome by the hotel staff and treated to a fantastic breakfast buffet.
After a lot of deliberating it was decided we would brave the weather and play the foresomes over a reduced course of 8 holes finishing outside the hotel . Teeing off in rain & sleet, we were quickly reminded that despite temperatures of 14-15 degrees earlier in the week, winter was still here. The conditions were freezing with many players suffering from extremely cold hands & very wet equipment, as temperatures plummeted to just 1 digit above freezing. The foursomes were a struggle on a reduced course, any loss of hole was costly. We halved 3 matches and lost the other 2 by scores of 2&1 – giving Leicestershire a 3 ½ to 1 ½ lead going into the 10 singles matches.
With all the work to be done in the singles, we played holes 1 to 8 followed again by holes 1 & 2, giving us a reduced 10 holes, we got off to a good start with Craig Richardson recording a win playing no.1, this was backed up by further wins from Kieron Austin, Dean Reece-Davis & myself. Andy Longmore battled for a half, and was unlucky not to hole his pitch to the 8th, with the pin somehow managing to keep his ball out of the hole for a much needed birdie. Unfortunately Leicestershire proved too strong in the other singles matches winning the 10 singles matches 5 ½ to 4 ½ - giving them an overall 9-6 Victory.
I would like to thank all the players for their superb effort & commitment to this fixture, everyone from Leicestershire & Rutland Golf Union & their captain Jim Longstaff.
Also thanks to Rob Davies, head-pro at Abbey Park Hotel, and his team for accommodating us, and allowing us to jump around the course. Also the Abbey Hotel for the refreshments throughout the day, and finally Past President’s Roy Hobbis & Peter Adams, C.M.S. Manager Dave McDermott and Junior organiser Brian Peplow from W.U.G.C. for their support on the day.
Paul Reeves – W.U.G.C. 2nd Team Captain
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