Cheshire began their Northern Counties League programme by hosting Durham at the excellent Warrington Golf Club.
Cheshire have had a good pre-season and were given a real test to show their batting qualities to earn a vital 10-8 victory.
The morning foursomes showed what a close encounter was to come as it ended at 3-3.
Picking up the points for Cheshire were Junior Captain Dan Hayes (Bramhall) and Paul McFerran (Warrington), the experienced duo of Cheshire Captain Jon Beesley (Mere) and Chris Chilton (High Legh Park) and youthful duo Cole Self (Ringway) and Ryan Owen (Styal).
Durham showed their determination in the afternoon singles as they won both of the opening matches. But then Cheshire hit back with wins for Dan Hayes 5/4, Paul McFerran one up and Chris Chilton 3/2.
Durham then drew level and the match was poised for a dramatic finish with halves for battling Sam Burton (Prestbury) and Dom O’Brien (Warrington). But Durham set a task for the Cheshire last three as they took the lead.
Cheshire kept their nerve and won the last three matches through Cole Self one up, Ryan Owen 3/1 and Kris Towers (Crewe) sealed the win with a close 2/1 victory.
A great competition at a superb venue to set Cheshire up for their next match against Lancashire.
Photos & copy courtesy Geoff Garnett
Northern Counties Golf Union
Northern Counties Golf League 2023
Cheshire
v
Durham
Venue: Warrington Golf Club
Date: Sunday 14th May, 2023
| Time | Morning Foursomes | Points | Score | Points | Morning Foursomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATCH 1 | Jack Nicholson | 2 & 1 | 1 | Jamie Birkbeck | |
| 09:30 | Josh Sims | James Glenn | |||
| MATCH 2 | Dan Hayes | 1 | 2 & 1 | Ryan Blemings | |
| 09:38 | Paul McFerran | James Rogers | |||
| MATCH 3 | Jon Beesley | 1 | 4 & 3 | John Kennedy | |
| 09:46 | Chris Chiltern | Ben Willis | |||
| MATCH 4 | Sam Burton | 1 hole | 1 | Chris Brown | |
| 09:54 | Ben Knock | Ryan Riley | |||
| MATCH 5 | Kris Towers | 3 & 2 | 1 | Grant Dixon | |
| 10:02 | Dom O’Brien | Kevin Suggett | |||
| MATCH 5 | Ryan Owen | 1 | 5 & 4 | Jordan Bettis | |
| 10:02 | Cole Self | Jack Richardson |
Morning Foursomes
3
3
| Time | Afternoon Singles | Points | Score | Points | Afternoon Singles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 13:30 | Jack Nicholson (Vicars Cross GC) | 3 & 2 | 1 | Jamie Birkbeck (Bishop Auckland GC) | |
| 2. 13:38 | Josh Sims (Caldy GC) | 2 & 1 | 1 | James Glenn (Durham City GC) | |
| 3. 13:46 | Dan Hayes (Bramhall GC) | 1 | 5 & 4 | Ryan Blemings (Consett & District GC) | |
| 4. 13:54 | Paul McFerran (Warrington GC) | 1 | 1 hole | John Kennedy (Consett & District GC) | |
| 5. 14:02 | Chris Chilton (High Legh Park GC) | 1 | 3 & 2 | Ben Willis (South Shields GC) | |
| 6. 14:10 | Jon Beesley (Warrington GC/The Mere) | 4 & 3 | 1 | James Rogers (Rockliffe Hall GC) | |
| 7. 14:18 | Sam Burton (Prestbury GC) | 1/2 | All square | 1/2 | Ryan Riley (Eaglescliffe GC) |
| 8. 14:26 | Dom O’Brien (Warrington GC) | 1/2 | All square | 1/2 | Chris Brown (Castle Eden GC) |
| 9. 14:34 | Ben Knock (Stockport GC) | 2 & 1 | 1 | Grant Dixon (Seaham GC) | |
| 10. 14:42 | Cole Self (Ringway GC) | 1 | 1 hole | Kevin Suggett (Chester-le-Street GC) | |
| 11. 14:50 | Ryan Owen (Styal GC) | 1 | 3 & 1 | Jack Richardson (Durham City GC) | |
| 12. 14:58 | Kris Towers (Crewe) | 1 | 2 & 1 | Jordan Bettis (Ravensworth GC) | |
Afternoon Singles
7
5
Match Result
Cheshire
10
8
