Pearson Trophy Finals Report.
held at Wrotham Heath G C on
Wednesday 20th June 2007.
The day started well, with bright sunshine covering the course
and drying up the overnight rain.
Everyone was feeling optomistic, sure that the day would
see some excellent golf. How right they were.
But not for the first time fate stepped in, an accident on
the M20 delayed, four players and two caddies.
Telephone bells started to ring. Lizzie Webb and Peggy Baker,
the Ashford and West Malling Captains had worried looks
and furrows on the brows.
What were they going to do with their players stationary
on the motorway, even though they had left home as early as 7am
and in plenty of time.
Fortunately only one lane was effected and the players arrived in
time to take their correct Tee slots, much to the managers relief.
Westerham and Nizels were first to tee off, Westerham lost their
first match, but they then sped into a 3/1 lead and needing only
1 match it looked as thought their fate was sealed, but Nizels did
not accept their fate and won the next 3 matches to earn their place
in the afternoons final.
The second semi final saw Ashford and local club West Malling
thrown together, West Malling went into a 3/0 lead, could Ashford
follow Nizels example and make a last ditch surge to win the match.
Alas, it was not to be, news came in from the course that West Malling
had secured one more match and that had won them through to the Final.
The Final- Nizels v West Malling.
After a speedy lunch, Nizels Tee off first, the weather had again played
it's part, the warm sun had dried up more of the overnight rain and the
greens had quickened and made putting even more difficult, the wind
was also playing its part making drives harder to place in the correct spot.
First out was Nizels Jenny Knight, she played West Mallings Helen Stuart,
Helen made a valient fight of it, but succombed to Jenny, they were followed
by Hilary Burdis (Nizels) who overhauled a wayward Debbie Tennant,
then came Nizels Juli Fayers, who came in with a win against Kelly Hanson.
Nizels were 3/0up.
West Malling were certainly up against it, the fourth match had reached
the 18th green, the match was all square with the players just leaving the green
to go to the 19th tee, when the news came through that Nizels had just
won the fourth and last match they needed to win the coverted Pearson
Trophy for 2006/7.
Nizel will play a team from Surrey, in the Four Counties Final at
Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire on Friday 20th July 2007.
We wish them very good luck and bring back the Salver.
Congratulations go to all the teams, who over the last 7 months have strived
to play their matches, sometimes in awful weather conditions and have played their
matches in good humour, friendiness and a sporting attitude. I commend you all.
Well done, also to the Finalists, all of whom were just wonderful.
See you all next year.
Chris
