Dorset County

In the last match of the year Dorset took on Sussex at Knighton Heath. With several experienced players unavailable it was a good opportunity to give experience to some younger players. Sonny Wilkinson and Harry Mitchell made their South East League debuts, both ending the day with a win.
Dean Barnes and Robbie Mabb got us off to a great start winning their game comfortably. Giles Legg and Jon Welch lost 2&1, but at the same time the Sussex pair in front hit their tee shot on 18 into the hedge to the right of the green. This left Dorset with two putts for the match. Kevin Robinson slightly undercooked the first putt to leave Sonny Wilkinson a tricky five footer to win. He slotted it home to give Dorset their second point of the morning. With Harry Mitchell hitting to 10 feet at the last there seemed a chance that Tom Leech would have a birdie attempt to square their game, but the Sussex lad holed a 40 foot putt to close the match out. 2 – 2 at lunch was pleasing though, our best foursomes performance in the League.

The singles looked very promising early on, but Dorset were pegged back by some good play from Sussex and probably too many bogeys from us. Kevin ‘Boom-Boom’ Robinson kept up his good play to record a 1up win, and Harry Mitchell got his first point with a fine 3&2 victory. Sonny Wilkinson battled hard for a half to remain undefeated for the day, a fine performance. However that was all Dorset could muster in the afternoon. Dean Barnes lost on the 18th and Giles Legg and Jon Welch on the 17th in three close matches but Tom Leech and Robbie Mabb were soundly beaten by 6 holes. Another disappointing result was tempered by the good performances of the younger players. Hopefully they will continue to improve and become regular First Team players very soon.
  
Giles Legg