Dorset County

Broadstone Golf Club was the venue for our 2^nd east league match with our opponents being Surrey. Those selected for this big challenge were, Lee James, Harry Collins, Andy Rideout, Matthew Sandy, Giles Legg, Harry Mitchell, Brad Cox and Luke Hirst.

1^st out James and Collins cruised out of the blocks to a 2 up lead after 14 holes however some fine play by their opponents meant that they finished the match all square. Rideout and Sandy after their success together in South West Week were paired in the 2^nd match. They started positively but were pegged back by their Surrey pair and were 3 down after 12 holes. A late charge was finally stopped on the 18 green where they lost by 2 holes. Experienced pair of Legg and Mitchell were out of sorts and on the back foot from the start unfortunately they couldn’t change the outcome and were beaten 4 and 2. In the final group new pair of Cox and Hirst gave 2 holes away early which was compounded by giving away a 3^rd after 10 holes. Needing a solid back 9 they chipped away at their opponents lead and with a brilliant drive and excellent 2^nd shot to 7 feet on the last hole it was left to Luke Hirst to roll in the final putt and gain us a vital half point to ensure we had some chance of taking the fight to Surrey in the afternoon.

Dorset 1 – Surrey 3

Lunch

It was important to get off to a strong start after lunch and it was the responsibility of home player James and 2 former Broadstone members Cox and Rideout to lead the team from the front. After 8 holes it was evenly split between both teams. 2 of the matches were heavily down and after James and Rideout secured a point each Cox and Harris were defeated 6 and 4. Luke Hirst continued his fine display of golf and again holed a great putt on the last hole to secure a half point. Harry Mitchell finished his match in total control winning 5 and 4 and it then looked like we might be able to get something from the day. Unfortunately Legg couldn’t keep his game going and shook hands with his opponent on the 16^th green. Matt Sandy ensured we finished the day on a positive note hitting 2 great shots on the last hole to 6 feet and calmly rolling in the putt to win his match 1 up.

Final Score Dorset 5 ½ - Surrey 6 ½

I am proud of the way the team came back after lunch but we need to just more out of the morning sessions to give us the edge in the afternoon. The next match is against Kent on August 6^th and we look forward to gaining out 1^st match win of the east league season.

Tom Leech

County Captain

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