County Match Week – the final day

Due to sterling efforts on the part of organisers and players the outstanding games were all completed on Saturday although this involved a very late finish and a number of players playing 48 holes in one day – no mean feat!

So now to the final day, play resumed at 8.30am on yet another grey day.  Thankfully the rain held off until proceedings were concluded with Suffolk’s game against Norfolk the first match underway.  Sadly, victory was not to be, and Norfolk won 3.5 to 1.5.

However, numbers don’t necessarily convey the real story so some more detail follows ….

Leading the challenge was the partnership of Vanessa Bell and Sophie Kubitzek.  Despite heroic efforts they were to lose 5 and 4 to Tiffany Mills and Imogen Leader.  Similarly, Amanda Norman and Sharon Luckman lost to Eve and Hope Neild 5 and 4 and Georgia Parker lost the first singles match against Amelia Williamson 6 and 4.

All was not lost!  Abbie Symonds played superbly, coming back from 3 down to pull back and with a nail-biting finish the match on the 18^th the match finished in a draw.  What a determined young lady she is! Alice Barlow’s game against Jo Herd was the last game out and was full of promise from the outset.  With consummate skill she found the fairway consistently, more often than not leaving an easy second shot to the green which was then finished in style.  Alice won 5 and 3.

Whilst the overall result for Suffolk was disappointing it is hard to ignore the effect that the weather may have had and the team are to be congratulated for their performance under such dreadful conditions, particularly with the forced extended play on Saturday.  Amanda Norman provided great leadership to the team and should be congratulated for her skill and determination.. Well done everyone!

Carol Deslandes

Detailed results for all Suffolk matches:

Suffolk v Bedfordshire

Vanessa Bell and Sharon Luckman lost to Caitlin Thomas and Luca Thompson 2/1; Lils James and Georgia Parker lost to Lora Collin and Sue Caley 1 dn; Alice Barlow bt Annabel Pitts 6/5; Abbie Symonds bt Georgia Staroscik 2/1; Amanda Norman lost to Chanell Fontaine Geary 5/3.

Final result: Suffolk 2; Beds 3

Suffolk v Cambs and Hunts

Lils James and Amanda Norman were all square with Jackie Ewing and Marcella Tuttle; Vanessa Bell and Sharon Luckman bt Tabatha Brain and Laura Todd 3/2; Abbie Symonds lost to Miranda Brain 1 dn; Alice Barlow bt Ella Mason 2/1; Georgia Parker lost to Jade Guest 6/4

Final result:Suffolk 2.5; Cambs and Hunts 2.5

Suffolk v Essex

Vanessa Bell and Sophie Kubitzek lost to Sophie Caldon and Megan Henry 3/2; Amanda Norman and Joanne Woodward lost to Clara Rushmer and Alex Sparrow 2 dn; Georgia Parker lost to Harriet Lynch 1 dn; Abbie Symonds lost to Katy Yates 1 dn; Alice Barlow bt Georgia Gilling 3/2

Final result: Suffolk 1; Essex 4

Suffolk v Hertfordshire:

Vanessa Bell & Sharon Luckman lost to Zainab Jeppe & Ellie Farwell 1dn;  Lils James & Sophie Kubitzek bt Millie Pratten & Emanuelle Hewon 2 up;   Alice Barlow bt Mawgan Vater 6/4;  Abbie Symonds bt Honor Keilty 2 up;  Amanda Norman lost to Rebecca Earl 2/1. 

Final Result:  Suffolk 3, Hertfordshire 2.

Suffolk v Norfolk

Vaness Bell and Sophie Kubitzek lost to Tiffany Mills and Imogen Leader 5/4;  Amanda Norman and Sharon Luckman lost to Hope and Eve Nield 5/4; Georgia Parker lost to Amelia Williamsoon 6/4; Abbie Symons and Gemma Batty were all square; Alice Barlow bt Jo Herd 5/3

Final Result:  Suffolk1.5, Norfolk 3.5.