Cyril Blake success for ESN - (report)
Victory for East Sussex National at Littlehampton gc
East Sussex National defeated Royal Eastbourne 3 1/2 - 1/2 in today's Final at Littlehampton GC.
There were wins by Greg Ford & Tony Plant 3/2, Ian Pagan & Eric Stone 4/3, Nigel Phillips (Capt) & Paul Plant with Stuart Catton & Alan Ratcliffe halving their match out last.
The day started with strong winds and heavy rain, the sort of weather that might favour the opposition Eastbourne Downs GC. The ESN pairs made a tentative start taking a bit of time to get used to the wet greens and conditions. Slowly though, the quality of our players started to shine through.
The first pair of Tony Plant (who lost two shots off his handicap over the weekend) with the ever steady Greg Ford stamped their dominance on their game and never took their foot of the pedal.
Ian ‘bruised back’ Pagan with Eric ‘dropper’ Stone also turned their deficits to a positive and started to edge ahead in their game. Both pairs went on to win their matches comfortably.
The third pair of Paul ‘Planty’ Plant and the skipper Nigel Phillips, who were giving away 7 shots to a very steady pair, found themselves 3 down at the turn. With four birdies on the back nine they cut the deficit to win their match on the last hole with a great 8 foot birdie putt. The final pairing of Alan ‘Ratters’ Radcliffe and Stuart ‘Shiny’ Catton (who are still unbeaten over the last two years’ in this cup), confirmed the win with a generous half given on the last, for a final team win of 3 1/2 - 1/2. It’s the first time ESN have won this county tournament and makes it a double for the ESN men’s teams in County Comps this year. A testament to the quality of golfers at East Sussex National.
I would personally like to thank everyone who has made themselves available for selection to the Team this year and particularly those who have contributed to our success. Particular thanks from all of the team to James Heard who turned up in the rain today to offer his support all day - very much appreciated James by all.
Thanks were made at the prize giving to the continued sponsorship of the Cyril Blake Cup and Gilbert Print plate by Mr Michael Hunt.
Well done to all the players who played in the competition.
Result sheet
There were wins by Greg Ford & Tony Plant 3/2, Ian Pagan & Eric Stone 4/3, Nigel Phillips (Capt) & Paul Plant with Stuart Catton & Alan Ratcliffe halving their match out last.
The day started with strong winds and heavy rain, the sort of weather that might favour the opposition Eastbourne Downs GC. The ESN pairs made a tentative start taking a bit of time to get used to the wet greens and conditions. Slowly though, the quality of our players started to shine through.
The first pair of Tony Plant (who lost two shots off his handicap over the weekend) with the ever steady Greg Ford stamped their dominance on their game and never took their foot of the pedal.
Ian ‘bruised back’ Pagan with Eric ‘dropper’ Stone also turned their deficits to a positive and started to edge ahead in their game. Both pairs went on to win their matches comfortably.
The third pair of Paul ‘Planty’ Plant and the skipper Nigel Phillips, who were giving away 7 shots to a very steady pair, found themselves 3 down at the turn. With four birdies on the back nine they cut the deficit to win their match on the last hole with a great 8 foot birdie putt. The final pairing of Alan ‘Ratters’ Radcliffe and Stuart ‘Shiny’ Catton (who are still unbeaten over the last two years’ in this cup), confirmed the win with a generous half given on the last, for a final team win of 3 1/2 - 1/2. It’s the first time ESN have won this county tournament and makes it a double for the ESN men’s teams in County Comps this year. A testament to the quality of golfers at East Sussex National.
I would personally like to thank everyone who has made themselves available for selection to the Team this year and particularly those who have contributed to our success. Particular thanks from all of the team to James Heard who turned up in the rain today to offer his support all day - very much appreciated James by all.
Thanks were made at the prize giving to the continued sponsorship of the Cyril Blake Cup and Gilbert Print plate by Mr Michael Hunt.
Well done to all the players who played in the competition.
Result sheet