League Title challenge goes to final day

Cheshire's men beat Northumberland to set up deciding match away against Yorkshire

The Northern Counties League title will be decided when the two contenders meet on the final weekend. With Yorkshire having beaten Cumbria the day before our match with Northumberland, thanks to an unprecedented 12-nil whitewash in the singles, Cheshire needed to beat Northumberland to maintain a realistic chance of taking the league title.

Stockport Golf Club were, as always, excellent hosts on a breezy but largely sunny day.

Captain Jon Beesley and Chris Chilton beat the experienced Andy Minnikin and Phil Ridden in the top foursomes match. Thanks to wins in matches 4,5 and 6 Cheshire took a 4-2 lead into the afternoon.

Sam Prince, on home territory, won the opening singles, but things were looking very close until Chris Chilton, Haminder Matharu, Sam Burton, Lucas Kuiper and Ben Knock all won and Ryan Owen and Paul McFerran secured halves to see Cheshire win 11-7 overall.

We therefore go to The Oaks (York) on Saturday 9th September needing to beat Yorkshire to secure the league title we last won in 2011. It should be a great finale to the season and Cheshire supporters will be very welcome!

Lucas Kuiper, making his full county debut at his home club, won both his matches.
Team captain Jon Beesley hits into the 10th, watched by foursomes partner Chris Chilton
Haminder Matharu drives from the first tee in the foursomes

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