Rob Thompson is ESN match winner
Incredible Debut for Thompson as he seals ESN win
East Sussex National progressed into the quarter-finals of the Wellesley Plate after a dramatic away win at Selsey GC.
Three key players were missing from the team as they travelled to Selsey, in came promising youngster Billy Gray & a debutant Rob Thompson.
ESN trailed in the foursomes again 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 with Tom Aye-Moung & Dan Burchell grabbing a 1/2 on the last , while Steve Graham & Rob Thompson managed a much needed point on the last hole.
The team set out needed 4 1/2 points to win on countback as the away team.
Dan Burchell lost match 1, Tom Aye-Moung was conceded his match, but 5 up at the time.
Steve Graham won comfortably as did Olly Dickman giving ESN a lead.
Mark Earley & Jordi Southgate suffered early defeats leaving two matches on the course with Selsey now leading 5 1/2 - 4 1/2.
Billy Gray 3-putted 16 & 17 to trail up 18 and needed a 1/2 to keep the match alive, inexplicably , his experienced opponent buckled under the pressure and took 4 from the edge of the par 3 last to hand Billy a match saving half.
Selsey led 6 - 5.
Players and supporters all turned to match 8 with Rob Thompson leading one of the best Selsey players by 1 hole.
Thompson walked in a 15ft putt for a half on 14, then made a great two putt from the fringe on 15.
The pressure started to build and an inspired Thompson was out playing his opponent, he hit a 7 iron to 10ft on the 16th and narrowingly missed the birdie.
Playing like an experienced player, he hit another magnificent 7 iron to 8ft on 17th to set up a match winning birdie, the putt agonisingly missed sending the match up 18.
The Selsey playing was feeling the pressure and missed the green, the stage was set for Thompson , who hit another brilliant shot as he his rescue finished 20ft leaving him two putts for victory , which he completed with ease for a tremendous team win and individual performance.
Rob Thompson pictured on the 18th after his win.
The team now awaits it's draw in the quarter-finals, follow on link below.
Sussex County Golf
Three key players were missing from the team as they travelled to Selsey, in came promising youngster Billy Gray & a debutant Rob Thompson.
ESN trailed in the foursomes again 2 1/2 - 1 1/2 with Tom Aye-Moung & Dan Burchell grabbing a 1/2 on the last , while Steve Graham & Rob Thompson managed a much needed point on the last hole.
The team set out needed 4 1/2 points to win on countback as the away team.
Dan Burchell lost match 1, Tom Aye-Moung was conceded his match, but 5 up at the time.
Steve Graham won comfortably as did Olly Dickman giving ESN a lead.
Mark Earley & Jordi Southgate suffered early defeats leaving two matches on the course with Selsey now leading 5 1/2 - 4 1/2.
Billy Gray 3-putted 16 & 17 to trail up 18 and needed a 1/2 to keep the match alive, inexplicably , his experienced opponent buckled under the pressure and took 4 from the edge of the par 3 last to hand Billy a match saving half.
Selsey led 6 - 5.
Players and supporters all turned to match 8 with Rob Thompson leading one of the best Selsey players by 1 hole.
Thompson walked in a 15ft putt for a half on 14, then made a great two putt from the fringe on 15.
The pressure started to build and an inspired Thompson was out playing his opponent, he hit a 7 iron to 10ft on the 16th and narrowingly missed the birdie.
Playing like an experienced player, he hit another magnificent 7 iron to 8ft on 17th to set up a match winning birdie, the putt agonisingly missed sending the match up 18.
The Selsey playing was feeling the pressure and missed the green, the stage was set for Thompson , who hit another brilliant shot as he his rescue finished 20ft leaving him two putts for victory , which he completed with ease for a tremendous team win and individual performance.
Rob Thompson pictured on the 18th after his win.
The team now awaits it's draw in the quarter-finals, follow on link below.
Sussex County Golf