The South West Team arrived at a dry but chilly Redditch Golf Club on the Thursday in preparation for the practice round and the hospitality shown to us set the tone for the 2 days spent their, we were extremely well looked after by the club. The course was in fantastic condition and the clubhouse staff did a grand job looking after us.

After some late changes and the Captain almost needing his clubs the team finally consisted of 2 Wiltshire, 2 Devon, 4 Gloucestershire and 2 Somerset Players. 5 Debutants and 5 returning players made up a great mix for the match and great team spirit was evident from the start!

A quiet chilly match day morning arrived and the team were buoyed by the Captains rallying call as the South West looked for their 1st win in the fixture in 6 years and 1st away win since 2006! The calmness of the foggy air was a far cry from the excitement that the foursomes would bring!

Gloucestershire Pairings of Jake Phillips and Brandon Skidmore followed by Ashley and Josh Millington would lead the South West off, Devon pair of Jack Jeffrey and Pete Howell at 3, Wiltshire pair of Lewy Hayward and Freddie Titcombe at 4 and the experienced Somerset paring of Curtis Edwards and Andrew Isaacs in the anchor role.

We got off to a great start and were up in a few of the matches but were clawed back as the morning went on. It was apparent that the Wiltshire lads were struggling against an in form Midland Pair as they went down 6&4, this was countered but a strong performance by the Somerset Lads who won the back match 5&4. The other 3 matches were nip and tuck, in the top match Jake and Brandon were 2 up with 3 to play before being hit by 2 birdies to be a/s playing the last but a superb approach by us would lead to a winning birdie! In the 2nd match Josh and Ash won the last 3 holes to finish a/s and the Devon lads produced another fightback to birdie the last to finish a/s. So a lead of 3-2 at lunch set up and exciting afternoon.

As the afternoon started it was apparent the Midlands would not go down without a fight and after 9 holes the Midlands were in a winning position but just as had happened in the morning the South West lads found the back 9 to their liking! Jake led us of with a 1up victory, followed by Brandon who also won on the last. Ash won 3/2 and a loss for Pete was followed by a 1up win for Jack. Things were looking positive with news from the course that Freddie (4&3) and Lewy (4&2) had won which meant the result was not in our favour. Josh Millington secured his point as did Andy. In a close anchor match Curtis lost on the last leaving the final result at 11-4.

On paper it looked like a very convincing win for the SW but the Captains heart rate would tell you different as throughout the day 9 of the match went to the 18th hole and unbelievably the SW won the hole on 7 of those 9 occasions. Showing just how close the match could have been!

Well done to Jake Phillips, Brandon Skidmore and Andrew Isaacs who all secured maximum points and to all of the team who contributed to the team.

It was thoroughly enjoyable 2 days and the lads were a pleasure to Captain and were a credit to the South West and their Counties.

My thanks for to Wiltshire Golf for nominating me to Captain the team, to Ian, Geoff and the South West Officials for all the organisation and support of the team, and finally to the Midland Golf Union and Redditch Golf Club hosting the match.

Ali James - SWCGA Captain

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