Last updated at 12:12, Tuesday, 07 August 2012

Cumbria defeated Cheshire 9½-8½ despite the match being halted by thunder and lightning.

Will Bowe

Cumbria got off to a poor start in the morning foursomes on Sunday as their lead pairing of William Bowe (Workington) and John Longcake (Silloth) crashed to a 7&5 defeat by Oliver Carr and Dominic Barnes.

The Cheshire pair played steady golf and they won holes with two birdies and four pars. Next home were Nicky Bell (Eden) and Kieran Waters (Carlisle) who despite putting up a stout effort, lost 2&1.

The third pair of Thomas Forster (Brampton) and Chris Thursby (Carlisle) recorded a victory by one hole.

Thursby took the place of injured James Atkinson and was returning to the county scene after a break of a couple of seasons. The Windermere duo of Andrew Millray and Adam Chapman always had the measure of Little and Taylor and ran out winners by 3&1. Carl Johnston of Carlisle made his debut in this match partnering Brampton’s Geoff Nixon to good effect, beating Geddes & Hird by 3 & 2.

The final pairing of Andrew Edwards and Craig Morrow from Ulverston fought toe to toe with Harrison and Evans and ended up in a tie. Thus the Foursomes were 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 in favour of the Cumbrians.

The afternoon saw the clouds gathering and before any of the matches could be completed, thunder and lightning were detected in the area and the players were called into the clubhouse.

On the afternoon a storm rolled round the area and the match was abandoned. The rules of the competition state that in this event, the result of the morning’s Foursomes will stand and the afternoon singles will all be judged a tie.

Therefore the match is recorded as a victory for Cumbria by 9.5 to 8.5 putting Cumbria level with Lancashire and Yorkshire in the Northern Counties League, with one match remaining.

First published at 11:25, Tuesday, 07 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk