Having won their opening league match against Cumbria, Cheshire’s men took on Northumberland at a pristine Ringway Golf Club.
This was a significant fixture for Northumberland team captain Andy Minnikin who set a new county appearance record of 132, overtaking Sandy Twynholm. Andy was presented with a silver salver by the Northumberland President before the start of the match to mark the occasion.
Leading Cheshire out in the morning foursomes were Dan Hayes and Josh McMahon, but they soon found they were in for a tough match against Minnikin and Harrison Sewell. Despite Dan cutting the dog-leg and clearing the trees and the stream to hit the 11th green, an incredible shot, he and Josh lost 3&2.
Cheshire, however, took the next three foursomes matches and the final one to go into lunch with a 4 – 2 lead.
Afternoon proceedings were a different matter entirely. Northumberland’s Harrison Sewell set the tone by driving the first green for a comfortable birdie to gain a lead against Dan Hayes that he never lost. Losses for Sam Prince, Josh McMahon and Cole Self saw our lead evaporate. With Cameron Tholburn chipping in on the 18th to nick a half with Paul McFerran and Sam Burton winning the last to secure a half, it came down to the last handful of matches. Chris Chilton won well but Max Ranson, Jack Nicholson and Joe Sephton all halved. With Josh Sims going down 2&1 Northumberland had overhauled the morning deficit for a great comeback to win 9.5 to 8.5.
Huge thanks to Ringway Golf Club for their hospitality and a course that was in fabulous condition.
Our next match is away to Yorkshire at Sand Moor where we must win to have any prospect of winning the league for the first time since 2011.
