A beautifully presented Torquay Golf Club eagerly awaited the Wiltshire County Seniors Team for Devon's third Channel League match of the season.

The match to be played in Devon's glorious sunshine was expected to be a very close contested affair with both teams currently undefeated in the league and the in form Wiltshire recently qualifying for the Southern Counties Team Foursomes Final edging out Devon by a single point.

The morning nine hole Foursomes was closer than expected with the three matches that went to the final hole, the 'risk or reward' par 4 9th all going Wiltshire's way. Early wins from the Tiverton pair of Tony Allsopp and Simon Waddington and a 4/3 win by Paul Vicary and Barrie Keith helped keep the deficit to a minimum at lunch time.

The determination that showed on the faces of the Devon team in the afternoon singles was quite extraordinary. An amazing win on the first hole by Simon Waddington having walked back to play 'three off the tee' set the tone for the afternoon, he went on to win his match 6/5. Tony Allsopp backed up his morning partner also winning on the 14th green against Wiltshire stalwart Richard Jeffery. The experienced Paul Vicary did not disappoint with another convincing 6/5 win.

The match was getting closer with Devon needing 6 points to secure the win and although there were signs of more good scores from other parts of the course, it's never over until it's over as game 5 proved.

Captain Rick Pillow busy counting nail less fingers well supported by Team Squad members Phil Lyons and Tim Harris watched the closely fought lead match between Tim Aggett and Paul Bloomfield go down the final hole all square, Paul waved the Wiltshire magic wand a couple of times to be able to negotiate a half point with the Torquay Golf Club Manager, so another half point for Devon.

A fabulous tee shot from Graham Ruth on 17 produced a fine 2/1 win to edge Devon closer. Barrie Keith continued his good matchplay form to win on 16 with his gathering team mates looking on, whilst the Captain was watching Teignmouth's Mark Haskell strike a superb 7 iron to 2 foot on 14 for the eventual birdie to win his game and the match for Devon. Moments later Dave Eva closed out his game on 17 closely followed by Exeter's Colin Papworth with the same 2/1 result.

The Devon Captain was thrilled with not only the result but with the way each member of the team played showing great spirit and determination to win for the County and be proud of wearing the Devon red sweater.

A well-earned Devon cream tea awaited the teams in the Clubhouse. Both Captains congratulated the Torquay caterers and also Jason Brooks the green keeper for producing such a great course for the match.

Top of the league having won three out of three in the league, we move on to play Gwent at the Monmouthshire in August.

Rick Pillow                                     Devon County Seniors Captain

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