Cornwall Golf Union
Seniors Title Hopes Alive after Win in Wiltshire
Cornwall Seniors secured an outstanding and special win away to Wiltshire in a top of the table clash at Hamptworth GC on the edge of the New Forest yesterday.
[County Seniors Captain Richard Jones reports]
In a top-of-the-table clash, Cornwall Seniors faced Wiltshire at Hamptworth in what promised to be a decisive Channel League encounter. Both teams arrived with identical records of four wins and one loss, knowing that victory would keep their title hopes alive while also eliminating their opponents from the race. For Cornwall, still smarting from a narrow defeat to Glamorgan, the stakes could not have been higher.
Excellent Venue and Warm Hospitality
Hamptworth Golf Club proved a superb host, with special thanks to Wiltshire team member and Hamptworth’s Director of Golf, Andy Lake, and his clubhouse staff, who ensured both sides were looked after with great efficiency and good humour. The par-70 layout, measuring 6,334 yards, was the perfect stage for such an important fixture. Its fast-running fairways and receptive greens offered birdie opportunities, but also plenty of pitfalls for any shot that strayed even slightly.
Morning Greensomes – All Square
The morning Greensomes, played over the front nine, set the tone. Cornwall’s opening pair of Mark Johnson and Dion Keyser needed only five holes to dispatch their Wiltshire opponents emphatically. However, the remaining four matches were fiercely contested.
Guy Norris & Steve Barnes lost narrowly, 1 down.
Skipper Richard Jones & Richard Emery replied with a 1 up victory.
Laurie Bridges & Mark Jenkins went down 2&1.
Andy Rowe & Ian Veale secured a hard-fought half, thanks to Wiltshire’s remarkable up-and-down at the last.
With the session finishing level, the match was perfectly poised heading into the afternoon singles.
Afternoon Singles – Cornwall Edge Ahead
Cornwall’s skipper opted for strength at the top, leading with Norris, Keyser, and Johnson, while keeping the reliable Ian Veale in the anchor role. The strategy soon paid off:
Guy Norris set the tone with a commanding 5&4 win.
Richard Emery followed with a convincing victory in Match 6.
Keyser ground out a tight win on the 18th to add another crucial point.
Wiltshire, however, fought back with wins over Steve Barns and Lawrie Bridges, bringing the contest back to level terms. With Johnson and skipper Richard Jones both trailing late on, momentum briefly swung Wiltshire’s way.
Late Drama – Cornwall Seal It
The closing stages brought a flurry of updates as matches neared their conclusions:
Johnson turned his deficit into a last-hole win.
Rowe produced a brilliant finish, winning holes 15 and 16 for a 3&2 triumph.
Jenkins clinched the half point Cornwall needed with victory on the 17th, before Veale secured a final half to round off proceedings.
Final Score: Cornwall 9 – Wiltshire 6
Cornwall emerged worthy winners, securing a vital victory that keeps them firmly in the hunt for Channel League glory while ending Wiltshire’s challenge.
Closing Thanks
Thanks are extended once again to Hamptworth Golf Club for their hospitality, to the CGU and skipper Richard Jones for their organisation, and to both sides for competing in such fine spirit in a fixture worthy of its billing.
Channel League Summary
With our win against Wiltshire and Glamorgan beating Somerset 11.5 - 3.5 the Channel League is now a straight fight between Cornwall and Glamorgan. Next up Cornwall travel to Gwent needing to secure a win to put pressure on Glamorgan for their final two fixtures.
Cornwall 5 Wins 1 Loss Matches 60 - 30
Glamorgan 4 Wins 1 Loss Matches 52 - 23
Remaining Fixtures
Mon 15th Sept Gwent v Cornwall at Tredegar Park Golf Club
Mon 22nd Sept Gloucestershire v Glamorgan at Lilley Brook Golf Club
Mon 6th Oct Dorset v Glamorgan at The Dorset Golf & Country Club
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