Wednesday 21st July 2021 - Leicestershire & Rutland v Nottinghamshire at Beeston Fields Golf Club

Our final match of the season was the return against Nottinghamshire which took place at Beeston Fields Golf Club. We were hoping to continue our form from the previous week, and finish the season on a high. The hot and sunny weather was still with us, so it was going to be another long and challenging day. The course was in great condition, andall the matches were again played in an excellent spirit.

The morning foursomes began with Barbara Suffolk and Lisa Porter, who was making her County debut, leading the way, followed by Clare Bailey and Katie Underwood, with Fiona Sharman and Alison Smith bringing up the rear. Barbara and Lisa finished all square, Clare and Katie won 2&1, and Fionaand Alison also won 2&1. This gave us a 2.5-0.5 lead at the lunchtime break.

The afternoon singles matches set out full of confidence. With wins for Barbara Suffolk, Katie Underwood, Lisa Porter and Fiona Sharman, a half from Clare Bailey, and a loss from Alison Smith, we achieved a satisfying double over Nottinghamshire.

It was great to see 12 year old Millie Marsh making her debut for Nottinghamshire – a star in the making!

The overall result was a 7-2 win for Leicestershire.

Sunday 18th July 2021 - Leicestershire & Rutland v Nottinghamshire at Lingdale Golf Club

Our first of two matches against Nottinghamshire took place on an extremely hot and sunny day at Lingdale Golf Club. We were hoping for an improved result after the two defeats by a very impressive Lincolnshire team, and we weren’t to be disappointed. The course was in great condition, and with the added difficulties that the hot weather brought, it was going to be a real test of endurance for both teams.

Home members Barbara Suffolk and Beth Fisher led the way, followed by Diana Miller and Aisling Dekonski, with Sally Lax and Alison Smith bringing up the rear. Barbara and Beth won 2&1, Diana and Aisling finished all square, and Sally and Alison won 3&2. A great start to the match, leading 2.5-0.5 at the lunchtime break.

After a welcome respite from the sun, we set out for the singles matches armed with plenty of water, umbrellas (for the sun, not the rain!), and wet towels. The team did not disappoint. With wins for Barbara Suffolk, Diana Miller, Clare Bailey and Aisling Dekonski, and narrow losses for Beth Fisher and Karen Bonser, we ended with a comfortable victory.

My thanks to President Karen for stepping in for the singles in the afternoon.

The overall result was a 6.5-2.5 win for Leicestershire.

Thursday 15th July 2021 - Leicestershire & Rutland v Lincolnshire at Stoke Rochford Golf Club

 This was our first away match of the season against Lincolnshire at Stoke Rochford Golf Club, and we were hopeful of an improved result from the previous week's result at Glen Gorse. On arrival at Stoke Rochford, we were all expecting a hot and sunny day – it didn’t quite work out like that! We began under cloudy skies and a cool breeze, with the sun making an appearance toward the end of the afternoon singles. The course looked in great condition, and with fast, tricky greens, it was going to be a real test of golf.

Alison Smith and Fiona Sharman led the way, followed by our two juniors, Sasha Weightman and Aimee Cleminson, who was making her senior county debut, with Diana Miller and Aisling Dekonski bringing up the rear. Alison and Fiona lost, Sasha and Aimee halved their match, and Diana and Aisling won, to leave the match all square at the lunchtime break.

With everything still to play for, we set out in the singles full of confidence. Unfortunately, Lincolnshire found their ‘A’ games after lunch, and we only managed 1 point from the 6 matches. Fiona Sharman won 3&2 to prevent a clean sweep for Lincs.

The overall result was a 6.5-2.5 win for Lincolnshire.

Wednesday 7th July 2021 - Leicestershire & Rutland v Lincolnshire at Glen Gorse Golf Club

 Our first match of the season was at home against Lincolnshire at Glen Gorse Golf Club. The weather forecast was a bit concerning with thunderstorms due after lunch, however we managed to get away lightly with a couple of showers and rumbles of thunder. A dry and sunny, but rather humid start for the morning foursomes, with a short shower thrown in for good measure, followed by sun for the afternoon singles. Luckily, just as the final match came off the course, the heavens opened! The course was in great condition along with some tricky pin positions on fast greens. It was certainly a day for staying out of the rough though – it was brutal!

We had a mixed start in the opening morning foursomes matches. Clare Bailey and Katie Underwood lost 3&1, Alison Smith and debutant Lisa Porter won4&3, and Fiona Sharman partnering Sasha Weightman who was making her senior county debut, halved their match.

Match all square at the lunchtime break.

 It was all to play for in the afternoon singles, however results didn’t quite go our way. With some of the Lincolnshire players upping their games, they made very formidable opponents and unfortunately we couldn’t quite come away with the points needed to secure victory. Our ladies fought right to the end, but despite 2 emphatic wins from Katie Underwood and Helen Perry – both winning 5&4, the overall result went Lincolnshire’s way and the final score was Leicestershire & Rutland 3.5 - Lincolnshire 5.5.

All of the matches were played in good spirit, and despite the result, the girls are already looking for revenge at the return fixture on 15^th July at Stoke Rochford Golf Club.

LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND LADIES COUNTY 2nd TEAM

REPORT 4

Thursday 8th August 2019 - Leicestershire & Rutland v Nottinghamshire at Willesley Park Golf Club

This was our final match of the season against Nottinghamshire at Willesley Park Golf Club and the outcome of this match would determine the overall league winners. Based upon the previous match results, Leicestershire & Rutland needed to win by 4 points to qualify for the MIdlands North Regional Finals. It was going to be tough!

The course was in superb condition and the weather made for some very hot golfers. Hydration was the word of the day!

Leicestershire & Rutland ladies played some excellent golf in the morning foursomes and secured a 2-1 lead to set us up for the afternoon singles. Sally Lax (Market Harborough and Alison Smith (Rothley) won 2 up, Cath Arter (Rothley) and Fiona Sharman (Luffenham Heath) won 6&5, but Barbara Suffolk (Lingdale) and Karen Bonser (Willesley) lost 2 down.

The afternoon singles matches were fiercely contested and could have gone in either county's favour. All of the ladies played some fantastic golf and, as always, showed a great team spirit throughout. Sally Lax and Fiona Sharman both took their matches to the 18th hole, but finished on the wrong side of a result, losing 2 down. Barbara Suffolk who had been struggling with a back injury also lost. Cath Arter won her match 4&3, Alison Smith won 3&2, and Karen Bonser also won 3&2. Unfortunately, we could only manage 3 points from the 6 available, which meant that despite the overall win, we just missed out on winning the league which was won by Nottinghamshire.

Overall result : Leicestershire & Rutland 5 - Nottinghamshire 4.

Good luck to Nottinghamshire in the Midlands North Regional Final at Walsall Golf Club on Monday 2nd September.