This was the first time for many years that this prestigious tournament was not hosted by Gloucestershire.
It was a baptism of fire for Mike O'Mahoney and Mark Ralphs.
The weather was very kind on both days, although quite blustery.
From the Home Counties perspective the overall result was quite satisfying, as Worcestershire won one match and halved the other two.
However on analysing the results on both days the matches that were drawn were there to be won.
On the first day, Thursday, Worcestershire performed very well, and victory was in our grasp with players having the opposition dormy 4 down and 2 down respectively and both matches were halved, as was the match 31/2 each.
There were two performances to mention, James Robinson wining 6 & 4, and Tom Waldron winning 2 & 1.
The other match went as expected with Gwent just easing past Gloucestershire, 4 games to 3.
Friday morning saw the two Welsh sides in opposition and Gwent ran out winners 4 games to 3, although their match took almost five hours to complete.
Worcestershire were facing Gloucestershire, and acquitted themselves very well, running out comprehensive winners by 5 games to 2. There were wins for Keiron Austin, James Robinson, and good wins by Matt Vigurs 3 & 2, and Ollie Farrell 6 & 5.
The game of the Tournament was the first match of the afternoon, Worcestershire against Gwent.
The Worcestershire playing formation was adjusted to counter the strong Gwent line-up.
This produced great early results, Ollie Farrell went out number 1, and won 6 & 5, followed in by Keiron Austin a 4 & 3 winner, and Matt Vigurs again winning, this time 5 & 4, with one point required, Andy Longmore made a creditable half and with matches running out, Worcestershire's hopes were almost reached, when James Robinson from 4 down for most of his match rallied to be dormy 1, unfortunately he only halved the match, to allow Gwent the half point they required to be overall winners of the Tournament.
Our thanks to The Worcestershire Golf Club, in particular, their management, their catering staff and the greens staff for the excellent preparation of the course.
My special thanks to Mark Ralphs for his help and vital assistance, and particularly for his organisation and management of the after match dinner.
Thank you to Pat Tattersall for her ICT skills and for the support provided WUGC Officers, namely, Dennis Hayes, Dave McDermott, John Morton and Norman Bolton. Also, thanks to Andrew Boyd for seeing the Friday afternoon tee off for the Worcestershire Team.
Finally, a special thanks to the Worcestershire boys, who's behaviour was exemplary on and off the course, they are a credit to our County, many of them still have several years within the U16/U18 set-up and are really the future of Worcestershire's golfing prowess.
At the end of all the proceedings Ben Yeomans gave a special thanks to Mike O'Mahoney for his work over the past four years, remarking that Mike was the boys' mentor and a great inspirational to them.
Unfortunately, Mike is leaving the County set up as he is re-locating to live in Braunton,North Devon and he is hoping to join Saunton Golf Club. We wish Mike all the best in the future.
Report by
Mike O'Mahoney and Mark Ralphs
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