EAST REGION INTER COUNTY MATCH PLAY

The Suffolk team arrived all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready for the final day of competition against Cambs & Hunts. 

Once again, leading her team out with the first game of singles was Captain Amanda Norman.  Sadly, victory in this first game was not too be and Amanda lost to Miranda Brain.  Sharon Luckman was next up against Jade Guest and once again Suffolk lost.  However, in the final game of singles Vanessa Bell pulled of a tight victory over Marcella Tuttle, winning by one hole.

For the final session of foursomes it was wonderful to see the newer members of the squad take centre stage.  Georgia Parker and Jasmine Points proved to be formidable opponents for Laura Todd & Laura Tuttle and emerged victorious with a 2/1 win.  The final match saw Abbie Symonds and Sophie Kubitzek romp away with a scintillating victory over Lucy Pepper and Jackie Ewing winning 7/5.

The final score against Cambs & Hunts was a 3/ 2 win to Suffolk, a boost for morale at the end of  hard few days.

Whilst some of the results for Suffolk may have been disappointing the dedication and commitment shown by the squad can only be commended.  Once again, led superbly by Captain Amanda Norman and the ever-present Lils James (SCLGA President) the squad gave their all.   The past few days have proved to be a valuable experience and the prospects for the Suffolk team in the future can only be viewed positively.  Huge thanks must also be given to the caddies who braved the peculiarities of British weather and provided tremendous support to the players.

Losing only one match, Essex were the overall winners of the East Region County Match Days 2022.

Congratulations must also go the Harpenden Golf Club and Hertfordshire Golf Union for hosting such a prestigious event. Their organisation was second to none along with their welcome.

Looking forwards to next year’s event hosted by Norfolk.

Carol Deslandes

Detailed results of Suffolk v Cambs & Hunts:

Singles:
Amanda Norman lost toand Laura Tuttle  Miranda Brain 4/3; Sharon Luckman lost to Jade Guest 3/2; Vaness bt Marcella Tuttle by 1 hole.

Foursomes:
Georgia Parker and Jasmine Points bt Laura Todd and Laura Tuttle 2/1; Abbie Symonds and Sophie Kubitzek bt Lucy Pepper and Jackie Ewing 7/5.

Final Result:  Suffolk 3: Cambs & Hunts 2.

Other matches:
Herts lost to Norfolk 2/3.
Essex bt Beds 3.5/ 1.5.

Suffolk results overall:
Herts                     5          Suffolk    0
Essex                     3          Suffolk    2
Beds                      4          Suffolk    1
Norfolk                  2          Suffolk   3
Cambs & Hunts    2          Suffolk   3

The storm clouds that interrupted yesterday’s play have moved on and Suffolk’s team of Juliette Coffey, Lils James, Sophie Kubitzek, Sharon Luckman, Amanda Norman, Georgia Parker and Joanne Woodward lined up to take on Bedfordshire in the morning.

Leading her team out with the first game of singles was Captain Amanda Norman and she was victorious against Bedfordshire’s Luca Thompson.  Georgia Parker was up next against Jessica Sporie but, despite a spirited fight sadly lost her game by 1 hole.  The final game in the singles was Sharon Luckman and she also lost to Ixie Axpan.  

Lils James and Juliette Coffey paired up to take on Sue Caley and Stephanie Scott  and lost 2/1.  Finally, Joanne Woodward and Sophie Kubitzek finished the morning session playing Georgia Steroscik and Annabel Pitts and sadly lost 2/1.

Overall, a disappointing morning for the team but all to play for in the afternoon session against Norfolk

Leading the team out against Norfolk was Alice Barlow .  She was joined by Abbie Symonds, Vanessa Bell together with the pairings of Lils James & Juliette Coffey and Amanda Norman & Sophie Kubitzek, and they didn’t disappoint!

Alice was 2 down through 12 and dug deep to win by 1 hole.  Abbie Symonds came through to win over her opponent, and Vanessa Bell completed the hat-trick of singles wins. 

Unfortunately wins were not on the menu for the pairings of Lils James/Juliette Coffey and Amanda Norman/ Sophie Kubitzek but much to be proud of for the two younger players – so much promise for the future.

The final day tomorrow sees Suffolk playing Cambs & Hunts in the morning – 1^st tee 8.15 am.

Carol Deslandes

Detailed results of Suffolk v Bedfordshire:

Singles:
Amanda Norman bt Ashley Croft 2/1; Georgia Parker lost to Jessica Sporie by 1 hole; Sharon Luckman lost to Ixie Akpan 4/2.

Foursomes:
Lils James and Juliette Coffey lost to Sue Caley and Stephanie Scott 2/1; Sophie Kubitzek and Joanne Woodward lost to Georgia Staroscik and Annabel Pitts 2/1.

Final Result:  Suffolk 1: Bedfordshire 4.

Detailed results of Suffolk v Norfolk:

Singles:
Alice Barlow bt Harriet Allsebrook by 1 hole; Abbie Symonds bt Tracey Williamson 2/1; Vanessa Bell bt Eve Neild by 1 hole.

Foursomes:
Lils James and Juliette Coffey lost to Nellie Ong and Chloe Tabbard 6/5; Sophie Kubitzek and Amanda Norman lost to Imogen Leeder and Tiiffany Mills by 2 holes.

Final Result:  Suffolk 3: Norfolk 2.

Other matches:
Beds lost to Cambs & Hunts 2/3.
Essex bt Herts 3/2.
Herts bt Cambs & Hunts 3/2.
Norfolk bt Beds 3/2 and lost to Cambs & Hunts 2/3.
Beds bt Herts 3/2.
Norfolk bt Essex 3/2.

In a repeat of the first day of last year’s County Match Week, the storm clouds lurked menacingly over Harpenden Golf Club from early in the day until late afternoon when the weather gods released a storm of biblical proportion (thunder, lightning and torrential rain) forcing play to be delayed.

However, this did not affect the morning’s schedule and Suffolk were unfortunate to lose 2/3 against an in-form Essex. 

The afternoon session proved very difficult for all players with a pro-longed break mid proceedings to allow time for the greens to be cleared of water.  Sadly, all five games went to Hertfordshire

Tomorrow sees Suffolk playing Bedfordshire in the morning and Norfolk in the afternoon – let’s hope the weather has improved by then!

Carol Deslandes

Detailed results of Suffolk v Essex:

Singles:
Alice Barlow bt Ashley Croft by 1 hole; Vanessa Bell lost to Alexandra Sparrow 3/2; Abbie Symonds bt Danielle Anderson 3/2

Foursomes:
Amanda Norman and Joanne Woodward  lost to Charley Hatley and Katy Yates 5/3;Lils James and Sophie Kubitzek lost to Ashley Chalmers and Sophie Wheeler 2/1

Final Result:  Suffolk 2, Essex 3.

Detailed results of Suffolk v Hertfordshire:

Singles:
Abbie Symonds lost to Emmanuelle Hewson 2/1; Jasmine Points lost to Maddie Rolph 5/4; Amanda Norman lost to Kelly Cooke 2 dn

Foursomes:
Sophie Kubitzek and Joanne Woodward  lost to Cathy Gosling and Honor Keilty3/2;  Vanessa Bell and Sharon Luckman lost to Lucy Walker and Alison Franklin 5/3

Final Result:  Suffolk 0, Hertfordshire 5.

Other matches:
Cambs & Hunts drew with Essex 2.5/2.5
Norfolk bt Beds 3/2 and lost to Cambs & Hunts 2/3
Beds bt Herts 3/2