18th both having fought back from a few holes down. News from the tail was that Ben had won
his match 3 & 2 and David had turned around a 2 hole deficit early in the front 9 to win 3 & 2.
The score was now Sussex 4½ - Surrey 5½ with Josh and Jacob left on the course. Jacob having
been down early was fighting back and went down 2 & 1. Josh had been in front most of the
round and arrived on the tricky short 15th at 1up. A lovely iron and a missed green from Sussex’s
Lee Drew looked like Josh would double his lead, however a 30-foot par putt from Drew saw the
match remain 1up to Surrey. Again, on the 16th Josh was safely aboard in regulation while Sussex
were short of the green. A poor approach saw Sussex putt first from 40 feet. Again, the ball found
the bottom of the cup, Josh making a solid par. Both players missed the fairway on the 17th and
after 3 shots Josh was 30 feet away with Sussex in the greenside bunker in 3. Sussex splashed
out to around 20 feet, followed by Josh putting up close and was conceded. Sussex unbelievably
holed out again to take the match up the tricky final hole. Sussex again found the trees on the
dog leg with Josh perfect in the fairway. Josh played first and missed the green just of the left side.
Sussex played but were still in the trees. Another punch out saw the Sussex ball reach the front
edge 10 paces from the hole. Josh’s pitch looked good but ran past on the fast greens to 20 feet.
In front of a large gallery the Sussex ball amazingly found the bottom of the cup for the 4th hole
in a row leaving Josh a difficult putt to win the match. In the most exciting finish in recent times
Josh was up to the task and banged it in.
Sussex 5½ - Surrey 6½
The County First team made the long journey to Came Down GC in Dorset for our 2nd League
match of 2019 following the epic victory in May away to Sussex. Following a couple of desperate
journeys to the West over the past few years the decision was made to travel down on the Friday
evening to ensure the squad was fresh & ready to practice on the Saturday. Sunday saw a change
in the weather with rain falling and a north east wind meaning the temperature was far lower
than the previous day.
Our foursomes pairs were-
David Corben & Harry Plowman-Ollington
Harvey Byers & Charlie Crockett
Enrique Dimayuga & Angus Flanagan
Jacob Aaholm & Ben Palmer
Matches 1 & 2 were nip and tuck for most of the early holes, but a fine iron from Harry at the
par 3 twelfth hole followed by a 25 ft putt from David saw them hit the front for the first time
with them eventually winning by 1 Hole. Harvey & Charlie were 1 down around the turn but
the hit the gas pedal winning a series of holes to close the Dorset pair out by 4 & 3. England
international Angus & Enrique were never really troubled in winning out in the country by 5 &
4. Ben & Jacob in the anchor role were equally comfortable getting to dormie 4 before sealing
the deal on the 16th green with a birdie for 4 & 2. Dorset 0 Surrey 4 at the break. Following a
hearty lunch we headed for the afternoon singles. Harvey led off from the start as he had done
in Sussex and the outcome was much the same as he was never behind winning 4 & 2. Angus
had been struggling with a wrist injury and although managing to get through the foursomes,
but hitting every shot in the singles was problematic and after consultation with the coaching
team he decided he would stop after 8 holes and try to be fit for the upcoming 6 man qualifier.
Match 3 saw Enrique behind early but an eagle from 75 yards at the 8th kick started his round
and he would go on to win 3 & 2. Harry missed a couple of uncharacteristic putts early and
although battling hard couldn’t quite get to his opponent and went down 4 & 3. Match 5 saw
Charlie complete a remarkable First team debut, being several under par in winning 8 & 7. David
continued his awesome run of singles wins (2 defeats in 26 games since 2014) in taking down
his Dorset opponent 3 & 2. Ben had been a couple down early on but battled hard with what he
admitted wasn’t his “A” game to win 3 & 2. Jacob was behind early and although getting back
level around the turn found himself 2 down with 3 to play. An excellent long putt to the hole side
on the 16th followed by his tee shot finding the light rough pin high green side at the 17th saw
him all square playing the last. An excellent up and down from a tricky green side bunker would
seal a half point and a final score of - Dorset 2½ Surrey 9½.
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