Cheshire are Women’s County Champions for the fourth time in their history after defeating Yorkshire at Betchworth Park.
The North West county secured a win and two draws in League One to set up a tantalising final against rivals Yorkshire, who had not only won all three matches in League Two but had also beaten Cheshire at Counties Week six weeks earlier.
That may have spurred Cheshire on in the Surrey sunshine, as they overturned a slender 2–1 foursomes deficit by winning five of the six singles to close out a 6–3 victory.
“It means everything to us as it’s 30 years since we’ve won it,” said Cheshire President Marjorie Griffiths. “We probably had a better performance in the final against our great rivals Yorkshire than we did in the other rounds. We clawed our way to the final, but we played some very good teams. We were meant to do this.
“We are newbies really as we’re part of Cheshire Golf now we’ve unified with our men, and they’re going to be thrilled to bits. We've had a lot more investment in terms of playing and training, and we’ve justified that.”
That may have spurred Cheshire on in the Surrey sunshine, as they overturned a slender 2–1 foursomes deficit by winning five of the six singles to close out a 6–3 victory.
“It means everything to us as it’s 30 years since we’ve won it,” said Cheshire President Marjorie Griffiths. “We probably had a better performance in the final against our great rivals Yorkshire than we did in the other rounds. We clawed our way to the final, but we played some very good teams. We were meant to do this.
“We are newbies really as we’re part of Cheshire Golf now we’ve unified with our men, and they’re going to be thrilled to bits. We've had a lot more investment in terms of playing and training, and we’ve justified that.”
While the afternoon performance was something to behold, the final foursomes match proved the catalyst for Cheshire’s response. Yorkshire flew out of the traps through Becki O’Grady and Grace Lambert’s 5&4 victory, and when youngsters Mila Dodds (14) and Molly Campbell (17) won the 18th to finish 1-up, Cheshire were 2–0 down and in need of a lift.
Emily McBurney and Lauren Jones provided it. Charlotte Colley’s 15-foot putt for victory slid by, leaving McBurney to hole a knee-knocker to secure a vital point. From there, Cheshire surged.
Up in the first five singles early, only the final match would finish in Yorkshire’s favour. Lauren Jones was first to shake hands, winning 4&2 in a match she never trailed, with Amy Anson following with a 3&2 success.
With momentum firmly behind them, Lucy Jamieson closed out a 1-up win on 18, despite Dodds clawing back from 3-down with three to play. Katie Stephens, who won five from five during the week, added Yorkshire’s solitary singles point to make it 4–3, but Sophie Clafton’s 4&2 win on the 16th clinched the title.
Hugs and tears followed, though celebrations paused until Morgan Bollan — still battling in the second extra hole — chipped in, before Campbell’s effort lipped out to finish.
Cheshire’s last success came in 1996 at West Sussex, with their other victories arriving back-to-back in 1989 and 1990.
Individually, Lauren Jones was the standout, going unbeaten and collecting 5.5 points from 6. Morgan Bollan also impressed, winning all four of her singles matches.
In the third-place match, Buckinghamshire won all six singles after being 2-1 down to secure a 7-2 success. Ella Butteriss had an impressive week, also winning all four singles clashes. Kent finished fifth with a 6-3 victory over Hampshire, whose Georgia Richardson heads to Home Internationals next week with an unbeaten week.
In the final match, Essex finished seventh with a 6-3 win over Dorset. Dorset’s Lilli Horn was the standout player of the week, securing 6.5 points from a possible 7.
Click here for the full scores. Click here for the league table.
Emily McBurney and Lauren Jones provided it. Charlotte Colley’s 15-foot putt for victory slid by, leaving McBurney to hole a knee-knocker to secure a vital point. From there, Cheshire surged.
Up in the first five singles early, only the final match would finish in Yorkshire’s favour. Lauren Jones was first to shake hands, winning 4&2 in a match she never trailed, with Amy Anson following with a 3&2 success.
With momentum firmly behind them, Lucy Jamieson closed out a 1-up win on 18, despite Dodds clawing back from 3-down with three to play. Katie Stephens, who won five from five during the week, added Yorkshire’s solitary singles point to make it 4–3, but Sophie Clafton’s 4&2 win on the 16th clinched the title.
Hugs and tears followed, though celebrations paused until Morgan Bollan — still battling in the second extra hole — chipped in, before Campbell’s effort lipped out to finish.
Cheshire’s last success came in 1996 at West Sussex, with their other victories arriving back-to-back in 1989 and 1990.
Individually, Lauren Jones was the standout, going unbeaten and collecting 5.5 points from 6. Morgan Bollan also impressed, winning all four of her singles matches.
In the third-place match, Buckinghamshire won all six singles after being 2-1 down to secure a 7-2 success. Ella Butteriss had an impressive week, also winning all four singles clashes. Kent finished fifth with a 6-3 victory over Hampshire, whose Georgia Richardson heads to Home Internationals next week with an unbeaten week.
In the final match, Essex finished seventh with a 6-3 win over Dorset. Dorset’s Lilli Horn was the standout player of the week, securing 6.5 points from a possible 7.
Click here for the full scores. Click here for the league table.
ENDS
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org
Contact details:
Tom Vale, Press & Media Manager
Tel: 07912 240850
Email: tom.vale@englandgolf.org
www.englandgolf.org