Norfolk power to Swaffham success
Norfolk’s first team produced a sparkling performance to beat Northamptonshire at Swaffham Golf Club.
The hosts controlled the match from its early stages, eventually triumphing 8-4 to record their first victory of the Anglian League season.
Ed Dimambro and Jonny Spinks set the tone for the day in the opening tie, surging to an early 6-up lead.
The pair remained in charge and put the first point on the board as Norfolk came out on top from the morning foursomes session.
Scott Wright and Quin Monaghan secured a slender 1-up success and experienced duo Ben Rawsthorne and George Morris also won to leave Norfolk 3-1 up at lunch.
In the afternoon singles Dimambro led the victory push, posting a flurry of early birdies. The consistent Thetford golfer eventually overcame ex-Norfolk captain Chris White 2 and 1.
Wright soon provided further good news as he surged to a 4 and 3 win. Next to collect a point was the unflappable Rawsthorne who prevailed on the 17th green after staving off his opponent’s comeback bid.
It was left to Monaghan, the youngest player in the team, to clinch Norfolk’s outright victory, thanks to a battling half-point clawed back on Swaffham’s testing par-4 final hole.
The 18-year-old was 1-down and staring defeat in the face when his second shot rolled deep into the trees flanking the left side of the fairway.
But Monaghan duly produced an exquisite 45-yard chip that rolled out to within a foot of the hole, resulting in the concession of his par putt.
When his opponent’s ensuing 10-foot attempt for a four stayed above ground, it meant a tight tussle ended up all square – and team Norfolk were over the line.
Twenty minutes later on the same green, Spinks completed a battling 2-up win for his first singles success in Norfolk colours.
And Morris added further gloss to the overall scoreline with a half-point in the last head-to-head out on the course.
Norfolk’s joint team manager Carl Green said: “That was an excellent performance. A lot of hard work was done through last winter and during this season, so it’s nice for the players to get a reward for all their efforts.
“We showed plenty of quality – and team spirit, which has been there throughout the season. Hopefully there’s a lot more to come from this group.”
Norfolk’s five-match league campaign concludes on September 6 when they play Suffolk at Thetford Golf Club.
*The county fielded a young 2nd team away in Northamptonshire and eventually went down 3.5-8.5.
But Norfolk Under 16s enjoyed better fortunes in a tri-series match against their Suffolk and Bedfordshire counterparts.
Norfolk’s future stars are closing in on qualification for a South East Group final after beating Suffolk 4.5-3.5 and Beds 5.5-2.5.
Anglian League result
Norfolk 1st team 8 Northamptonshire 4 (Played at Swaffham Golf Club)
Foursomes (Norfolk players named first)
Ed Dimambro and Jonny Spinks won 4&3 v Jordan Darnell and Matt Evans
Scott Wright and Quin Monaghan won 1-up v Tom Anderson and Alec Francis
George Morris and Ben Rawsthorne won 2&1 v Owen Watts and Chris White
Matt Strudwick and Sean Rafferty lost 1-down v Kai Raymond and Jamie Mulligan
Singles
Dimambro won 2&1 v White
Wright won 4&3 v Darnell
Rawsthorne won 2&1 v Anderson
Monaghan a/s v Watts
Spinks won 2-up v Raymond
Rafferty lost 8&7 v Francis
Strudwick lost 2&1 v Evans
Morris a/s v Mulligan
Photos (Rushmer PR)
