Gloucestershire and Lancashire tighten

their grip at English County Finals

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
Gloucestershire and Lancashire both won again today at the English County Finals at Pleasington and are starting to move away from their rivals.
Gloucestershire have won all three matches so far and hold a half-point lead over the hosts, Lancashire, who have won two and halved one.
Hertfordshire, meanwhile, pulled off an impressive win over Lincolnshire and have now moved into third place on 1½ pts.
The finals are contested by six teams, each representing one of the regions of the English Women’s Golf Association.
The other contenders are Lincolnshire and Surrey, who have won a match apiece, and the young Warwickshire side, who have yet to score.
The third day’s play produced, as usual, superb golf and exciting matches. Gloucestershire were held to a draw in the morning foursomes by Surrey – but they steamrollered their opponents in the afternoon, winning five of the six singles.
Team captain Susan Reeve said: “It was a wonderful afternoon and I am very proud of them all and that includes Jamie Casling who lost only on the 18th. It’s the first time she has played at this level and she showed huge guts.
“This was a great team effort after we halved in the morning. Surrey are no push-over and they played some very good golf, so this was an excellent result for us. It was just a dream.” Lancashire had the advantage of leading Warwickshire 2 ½ -½ after the foursomes and they played well through the singles to secure their win. Cori Lee continued her impressive unbeaten run while Nikki Foster returned to top form to win a match in which the scoring was well below par.
Nicola Rawlinson managed to beat Ashley Cramond, despite the Warwickshire girl’s sublime putting, and Brogan Townend scored a well-earned half against the more experienced Lauren Taylor.
Team captain Linda Wilson said; “I am absolutely delighted. It’s been a great day, really, really good. Warwickshire are a good team and we had to play well to win. But, there’s still a long way to go and a lot to do.”
Hertfordshire also staged a stunning singles performance to beat Lincolnshire. They faced an uphill battle after taking only a half-point from the foursomes, but the team responded to the challenge and won 4½ singles points.
Tomorrow’s matches
Lincolnshire v Gloucestershire
Surrey v Lancashire
Hertfordshire v Warwickshire.

TODAY'S RESULTS

WARWICKSHIRE 3, LANCASHIRE 6
(Warwickshire names first)
Foursomes
Lauren Taylor & Ashley Cramond halved with Cori Lee & Brogan Townend
Lisa Barton & Charlotte Taylor lost to Catherine Roberts & Sarah Walton 5 and 4.
Rachel Rusted & Elizabeth Galland lost to Nikki Foster & Nicola Rawlinson 5 and 3.
Singles
Charlotte Taylor lost to Lee 7 and 6.
Cramond lost to Rawlinson 3 and 2.
Lauren Taylor halved with Townend.
Charlotte Dalton bt Bethany Garton 7 and 5.
Barton bt Jenna Birch 3 and 1.
Hannah McLoughlin lost to Foster 4 and 2.

LINCOLNSHIRE 4, HERTFORDSHIRE 5
(Lincolnshire names first)
Foursomes
Helen Hewlett & Holly Clyburn halved with Charlotte Field & Lucy Williams
Sophie Beardsall & Emilee Taylor bt Alison Franklin & Harriet Key 2 and 1.
Jessica Wilcox & Rachel Woodcock bt Tina Jeary & Lucinda Mileham 3 and 1.
Singles
Clyburn bt Franklin 1 hole.
Taylor lost to Charlie Douglass 2 and 1.
Hewlett lost to Williams 1 hole.
Megan Illingworth halved with Jeary
Wilcox lost to Steph McEvoy 5 and 4.
Beardsall lost to Key 1 hole.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE 6½, SURREY 2½
(Gloucestershire names first)
Foursomes
Sian James & Linda Carruthers bt Lisa McGowan & Nicola Taylor 3 and 1.
Charlotte Ellis & Hannah Barwood halved with Katie Laud & Niamh O'Connor.
Alison Kelly & Shelby Smart lost to Jo Stocks & Julia Brook 2 holes.
Singles
Barwood bt McGowan 2 and 1.
Jo Hodge bt Janine Snodgrass 6 and 4.
Smart bt Laud 4 and 3.
Jamie Casling lost to O'Connor 1 hole.
James bt Brook 5 and 4.
Ellis bt Stocks 6 and 4.

Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer