GREAT WIN for Devon SCL Team at Exeter v Gloucs, 31 August

Devon Seniors win the Channel League with a match in hand. 

For what can only be described as a most extraordinary match of golf between two of the South West's most competitive Counties, Devon's County Seniors Team entertained Gloucestershire at the Exeter Golf and Country Club. 

Devon started the match unbeaten in the Channel League with 4 wins out 4 knowing that a result would give them the title having learnt that closest contenders Glamorgan lost to Somerset earlier in the week. Gloucestershire however had to win and by a considerable margin to keep in touch.

A beautiful morning showing Exeter at its finest awaited both teams, however TV's morning weather girls forecasted the day differently. Half way through the morning foursomes the heavens opened with a short but heavy shower, this did not deter Devon's opening pair of Tim Aggett and Colin Papworth who comfortably beat Gloucestershire's top pair Bob Broad and Rob Stephens 2 and 1. The visitors showing why they won the South West Counties Team Championship won the next two matches leaving Graham Ruth and Dave Eva followed by Richard Ward and Teignmouth's Mark Haskell to give Devon a lunchtime 3-2 advantage.

 At that mid point a discussion between the two Captains ended with the afternoon singles being played in fours rather than twos because of the potential of more bad weather to come. This threat was looking unlikely as both Tim Aggett and Tony Allsopp recorded 6 and 5 wins against their respective opponents....but then the rain came back and some...causing flooding on greens and fairways. At that point Devon's search for the extra two and a half points needed to win the League was looking as bleak as the weather. 

 After delays to some of the matches because of the effects of flooding, play continued however encouraging news of match turn arounds started to filter through. Dainton's Richard Ward two down playing the 11th came back with a clutch of birdies to win on the 17th two and one. The evergreen Paul Vicary produced a great half point against Bob Broad in a fiercely competitive match within the bulk of the rain.

 Barrie Keith and Thurlestones Dave Eva both two down and three to play came back to earn half points each which secured the team points for the Channel League title for 2017. But Devon badly wanted the win to continue their unbeaten run, this was left to the final group of four out on the course now some 45 minutes behind. From a position of strength home player Colin Papworth allowed his opponent to take him down the last hole all square only for Colin to make birdie and win one up. Mark Haskell playing against Gloucestershire's Captain Hugh Purvis kept his nerve to also win one up and between them close the match out in Devon's favour.

 Captain Rick Pillow was naturally delighted with the resilience of his team who showed great character during a match hindered by nearly all kinds of weather. We look forward to visiting St Austell for the final match of the season against Cornwall on 11th September as Champions.

Rick Pillow

Devon Seniors Captain

Match sheet

Return to News Page

Created by intelligentgolf version 10.1.2.