Yorkshire head into the final day of Senior Men’s County Finals in control of their own destiny– but both Kent and Wiltshire are ready to capitalise on any slip-ups.
After an exciting two sessions of play on day two of the finals at Rothley Park, Yorkshire emerged with a 4.5-4.5 draw from the match with Warwickshire while Wiltshire pulled off a fantastic 5-4 win against Kent.
That creates the potential for a thrilling final day’s play with every team bar Warwickshire still in with a shout of victory.
Yorkshire’s path to glory is simple; they will win the title for a third time in five years if they can defeat Kent in tomorrow’s final round robin encounter.
A draw may still be enough for Yorkshire if Wiltshire don’t win convincingly against Warwickshire in the other match.
Kent’s hopes of victory rest on them beating Yorkshire and Wiltshire failing to better that result against Warwickshire.
Wiltshire may sneak up on the rails – but to have any chance they must beat Warwickshire.
Kent v Wiltshire
Colin Edwards admitted it was a huge thrill to secure the half point which guaranteed Wiltshire its first ever win at the Senior Men’s County Finals and an outside chance of overall victory.
The former England international and captain halved his singles match with Kent’s Mark Haffenden to guarantee a 5-4 win for the smallest county at this year’s championship.
It was a hugely significant day for a county that has only 23 golf clubs within its boundaries and is punching well above its weight this week in the national finals.
For Edwards – with a stellar amateur CV to look back on – it was a day that ranks up there with some of the most enjoyable in his career.
He admitted: “It was old memories for me coming up the last with a lot riding on it – just like my England days!
“It was amazing.
“I’m glad I could hold it together.
“It’s been a tough week – I lost my dad last Thursday and it was a decision as to whether or not I came here.
“But I think he would have wanted me to and I think he was looking after me a little bit today.
“It’s great to rock up and play against these other guys – and my game is still in there somewhere!
“Now all we can do is focus on our game and try to win and see what happens.
“For Wiltshire to come here and win any match against these bigger counties is phenomenal. We’re chuffed to bits.”
Wiltshire’s excellent form in the foursomes continued over from day one as they took a lead into lunch against Kent.
Once again, the combinations of Mark Snape and Mike White and Jeremy Tomlinson and Edwards came up trumps – polishing off points with 4&3 and 3&2 wins respectively.
In fact, it could have been a full house for Wiltshire.
In the final game, Simon Dymoke and Al Paterson were two down with three to play but fought back and had a putt on 18 to win the game. However, Paterson left the 10-foot putt just short and the point was shared.
The afternoon singles were closer but White earned a point on the last with a hard-fought win against Richard Tomlin.
And Tomlinson made it four wins out of four with a 3&2 success against Martin Farbrace before Edwards got the half point that got Wiltshire over the line.
Danny Holmes put a point on the board for Kent in the singles – and as he explains in the video below, he’s not too downhearted going into the final day despite the Wiltshire reversal.
Yorkshire v Warwickshire
Yorkshire captain Andy King praised his team for fighting back to stay on track for the title.
Warwickshire were edging ahead midway through the afternoon session until Yorkshire dug into their reserves and turned two key games around.
When Richard Norton and Rich Jones won their singles matches against Warren Bladon and Tim Cooley from losing positions it helped to turn a likely defeat into a pleasing draw.
And that leaves Yorkshire knowing that a win over Kent on the final day will see them crowned champions.
King said: “If we win, we win – that’s the big thing tomorrow.
“We’re a team of eight and everyone will play. We’ve done that all week and we will stick to that.
“It was nerve-wracking today and it looked as if we’d lose easily. Then the top two games turned in our favour.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t get a half point from the last three games to get us the win, but it is what it is and Wiltshire did us a great favour by beating Kent.
“We dug in today and that was important.”
Yorkshire’s other points winner from the singles was Andy Woodhead and it was crucial after the morning foursomes session ended with 1.5 points apiece.
The outcome of the morning foursomes hinged on the top game between Stephen Creed and Cooley against Jones and Norton.
The other two games had come to an early end – Bladon and Tony Allen putting a point on the board for Warwickshire while Yorkshire’s Stephen East and Ian Backhouse won their tie on the 13th green.
The Yorkshire pairing of Jones and Norton enjoyed a two hole lead with four to play – but were pegged back and ventured up the final hole all square.
A six-foot putt across the slope would have given Yorkshire the win – but Jones’ putt died left of the hole in the final few inches and both teams shook hands on a tie.
In the end, Yorkshire did enough to secure a half and that leaves King and his team in pole position for the final day’s play.
He added: “It’s in our hands and that’s all we can ask for.”
Thursday’s Order of Play
Warwickshire v Wiltshire
