Played at Newbury & Cookham Golf Club
After the almost unbearably hot conditions broke after the weekend, the seniors team travelled to Newbury and Crookham to meet Oxfordshire for our second league fixture of the season on Monday 14th July – Bastille Day! The weather was surprisingly cooler and cloudier with brisk winds and occasionally blustery showers, so the day’s conditions remained challenging. Having lost a closely fought match against Hampshire in our first outing at the end of April, the team were determined to secure a win to keep us in contention in the league and defend our title from 2024.
As usual, the Club extended a warm and professional welcome to both teams and the catering was again, of the highest standard. The Course was challenging, with the fairways running long and fast due to the prevalent dry weather conditions although the greens were in their usual great shape.
The matches produced an interesting array of outcomes—some concluded swiftly by the 14th hole, one on the 12th, while others stretched to the very end, with three matches concluding on the 18th keeping both teams on edge. The overall contest was finely balanced at three games each, so as the final match unfolded, all eyes were on Donna. Tension mounted as her game extended to the 18th green, where everything rested on one last putt. With nerves of steel, Donna sank the decisive putt, sealing victory for Berkshire. The final result: 4 matches to 3 in our favour.
The team was Linda Hunt (Newbury and Crookham), Jane Sly (Mill Ride), Gayle Kennedy (Royal Ascot), Katherine Irving (Castle Royle), Donna Hunt (East Berks), Debbie Ranwell (Calcot Park) and Jules Tarr (Castle Royle).
We have our next match away at East Herts versus Hertfordshire on the 29th July with our final outing also away to Buckinghamshire at Gerrards Cross on 1st September. As you can see from the present League table above, Hampshire are in a commanding position, but we still have all to play for!
Debbie
Seniors Captain