Lancashire and Gloucestershire in title

showdown at English County Finals

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY ENGLISH WOMEN'S GOLF ASSOCIATION
The scene is set for a title showdown between Lancashire and Gloucestershire when they meet tomorrow on the last day of the English County Finals at Pleasington.
They are separated by just half a point at the top of the table, but it is Lancashire, the hosts, who overtook their rvals and moved into the lead after the teams experienced a day of contrasting fortunes.
Lancashire trailed opponents Surrey, 2-1 after the foursomes but staged a superb singles performance to turn their deficit into a 5½-3½ victory.
Cori Lee led the way in considerable style – she was nine under par on the ladies’ card when she closed out her opponent on the 13th green. She was followed by Nikki Foster, Brogan Townend and Nicola Rawlinson – who clinched the win – while Catherine Roberts won the last hole to halve her game.
It means Lancashire are unbeaten so far this week and their captain Linda Wilson said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the team, they are just fantastic. Tomorrow we shall concentrate on doing what we have done all week and that’s to go out and get our five points.”
Meanwhile Lincolnshire provided the upset of the week when they ended Gloucestershire’s winning run, beating them 7-2.
Lincolnshire captain Linda Davey put the success down to a relaxing evening!
“Last night when we went back to the hotel we all chilled out. Some of the girls had a swim or a sauna and we got together for a drink in the bar - and they came out like terriers today.”
Lincolnshire dominated the match, winning all three foursomes and then taking three of the singles and halving two others.
Hannah Barwood was the only Gloucestershire player to win her match, while Sian James and Jo Hodge both managed halves.
In the day’s other match Hertfordshire beat Warwickshire 8-1 to play themselves into the thick of the action for a high place at the end of the tournament. The title will be decided by tomorrow’s match between Gloucestershire and Lancashire but it’s all to play for among the places.
After four days Lancashire have 3½ points, Gloucestershire 3, Hertfordshire 2½, Lincolnshire 2, Surrey 1 and Warwickshire 0.

THURSDAY DETAILS
LINCOLNSHIRE 7, GLOUCESTER 2
(Lincolnshire names first)
Foursomes
Helen Hewlett & Holly Clyburn bt Jo Hodge & Jamie Casling 3 and 1.
Sophie Beardsall & Emilee Taylor bt Hannah Barwood & Bethan Popel 7 and 6.
Jessica Wilcox & Jessica Schiele bt Linda Carruthers & Shelby Smart 6 and 5.
Singles
Clyburn bt Charlotte Ellis 5 and 4.
Schiele halved with Sian James.
Beardsall bt Carruthers 5 and 4.
Wilcox bt Smart 4 and 3.
Megan Illingworth halved with Hodge.
Taylor lost to Barwood 1 hole.

SURREY 3½, LANCASHIRE 5½
(Surrey names first)
Foursomes
Nicola Taylor & Niamh O’Connor lost to Cori Lee & Brogan Townend 3 and 1.
Lisa McGowan & Janine Snodgrass bt Catherine Roberts & Sarah Walton 2 and 1.
Julia Brook & Jo Stocks bt Nikki Foster & Nicola Rawlinson 3 and 2.
Singles
McGowan lost to Lee 6 and 5.
Katie Shepherd lost to Foster 4 and 3.
Taylor bt Walton 1 hole.
Brook lost to Townend 5 and 3.
Snodgrass lost to Rawlinson 2 and 1.
Katie Laud halved with Roberts.

HERTFORDSHIRE 8, WARWICKSHIRE 1
(Hertfordshire names first)
Charlie Douglass & Harriet Key bt Charlotte Dalton & Hannah McLoughlin 2 and 1.
Charlie Field & Lucy Williams bt Claire Howells & Lisa Barton 2 and 1.
Tina Jeary & Steph McEvoy bt Rachel Rusted & Liz Galland 5 and 3.
Singles
Douglass bt Barton 5 and 4.
Alison Franklin bt McLoughlin 3 and 2.
Williams bt Ashley Cramond 3 and 2.
Lucy Glyn bt Howells 1 hole.
McEvoy lost to Dalton 3 and 2.
Key lost to Galland 1 hole.
Lyndsey Hewison
Press & PR Officer