Dorset County

Last year’s English County Champions were our 1^st league opponents of the year. Remedy Oak was the chosen venue and it was in immaculate condition.

With many of Hampshire’s 2017 winning team being present for this match it was going to be a stern test to start the year. Leading the charge for Dorset was Lee James who was partnering full time amateur player Arrun Singh-Brar. They came up against some very strong play but after being 3 down with 4 to play they managed to get to the 18^th tee all square, unfortunately Hampshire holed out for a birdie from 10 feet to win the match 1up.

Andy Rideout and Luke Hirst were out second but with some indifferent play they weren’t up in the match at any point and lost 3/2.

In match 3 Matthew Sandy teamed up with Callum Ward and they both played excellent golf to get in for an early lunch after winning 7/6 and with Giles Legg and Arron Bullock bringing up the rear they also finished off their match early with some solid play 6/4.

Dorset 2 - Hampshire 2

Lunch

After a solid mornings play an epic shift was required to ensure we crossed the line as winners in the afternoon. After 9 holes the team delivered and we were in the driving seat, the scores after 9 holes were as follows:-

• Arron Bullock                     3 up
• Arrun Singh-Brar                1 up
• Lee James                        3 up
• Matthew Sandy                  1 up
• Andy Rideout                     3 down
• Luke Hirts                         3 down
• Callum Ward                     1 up
• Giles Legg                         2 up

Hampshire are a very strong side and we all knew the game wasn’t quite finished yet. Up at the front the 4 players of Bullock, Singh-Brar, James and sandy all finished of their matches to get us to 6 points and we were at least guaranteed a halved match. Getting the half proved to be the hard task and with Rideout, Hirst and Legg losing their matches it was down to Callum Ward to find the all-important half. In the end Callum managed to finish off on 18 with a par leaving the Hampshire Captain with a 6 foot putt to win the game but half the match. He managed to roll in the putt and a halved match it was.

We had a great opportunity to win the match but this is still an excellent start to our season and something we can build on going into Southwest Week next month.

Please can I thank all the players for their commitment over the winter months and over the weekend to give us a great start to the year and I would also like to thank the Dorset Executive for an excellent turn out on the day to support us.

Final Score Dorset 6 - Hampshire 6

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