1st team v Leicestershire 

Cosby Golf Club, and it’s Golf course, was presented in fine condition considering the deluge of wet weather over the previous weeks, a thank you was due and given to the green staff for all the hard work, you could see a lot of effort had gone in to getting the course ready for the match.

It was the eagerly awaited kick off to the 2024 season and heading away to the quaint Cosby village versus Leicestershire Golf Union, historically one of the tougher matches of the season, it was always going to be a hard fought battle throughout the day. 

The Northamptonshire team had prepared well for the opener with The Winter Order of Merit providing some competitive golf, and team get togethers, throughout the colder months and a fine practice round in the sunshine started the weekend on the Saturday afternoon. In the evening the team met for a fantastic meal and team bonding at the restaurant helped settle the squad into the season.

Morning Foursomes

Torin Little & Jon Harris vs William Plant & Richard Wale 

Northamptonshire got off to a great start in this match and we held the upper hand for most of the match, unfortunately however, a few late mistakes from the opening duo and some clinical golf late on from the Leicestershire pair left us losing this game 1 down. 1-0 Leicestershire.

Jamie Milligan & Jenson Parfitt vs Chris Brook & Luke Burrows

This match was nip and tuck the whole way round, and followed a similar story to the first match, unfortunately the Northamptonshire pair going down to the same score 1 down. 2-0 Leicestershire.

Jordan Darnell & Liam McNeela vs Liam Plant & Scott Wormleighton

This was a great test of golf for a fairly new partnership for Northamptonshire, this match being a great contest and found it’s way to the 18th. Leicestershire had a 10-foot putt to secure the half, but when that putt slipped by it, was left to Jordan to calmly roll home a 2-footer’ to secure the point. 2-1 Leicestershire.

Lee Hitchcock & Ryan Genner vs Martin Anderson & James Billingham

Match four was a crucial game for Northamptonshire and with the threat of lightning storms in the air and the potential of the match being halted after the foursomes matches, a win would have seen the game 2-2 and level at lunch. It wasn't to be following a few late errors from the experienced Northamptonshire pairing, handing  Leicestershire the match to leave the ‘county 3-1 down at lunch.

Afternoon Singles

Torin Little vs Richard Wale – Richard Wale, a very experienced and often classy golfer, used his wisdom and mindset to get the 3-holes the better of Torin at the turn; it was always going to be a tough task thereafter ending in a 5&4 loss. 

Jenson Parfitt vs Will Plant – Jenson went out in the afternoon looking to make amends for the narrow defeat in the morning session, and suitably rose to the occasion with a demanding demonstration of fine golf walking away with a 3&1 victory.

Liam McNeela vs Luke Burrows – This was always going to be a tough match for Liam; his opponent Luke being a greenkeeper at Cosby for many years, sadly his local knowledge proved vital, and ran out a 4&3 victor over Liam.

Jon Harris vs Scott Wormleighton -  Jon Harris went down early in this match and in true Harris style he dug deep to try and force errors from Scott however he could never quite make a dent into the deficit, with Scott running out the 5&4 victor.

Jordan Darnel vs Chris Brook – Jordan brimming full of confidence after his morning win, showed his class again in the afternoon and put on a fantastic, gritted display of golf. All square but in control of the match from the start and picked up the pace from the 13th hole and comfortably seeing out the match 3&1. Player of the match for Northamptonshire.

Ryan Genner vs Liam Plant -  On reaching the final three matches of the day, Northamptonshire as you can see, were in big trouble and need a 3 wins from the last 3 games to snatch a draw; in typical Genner fashion his match went down to the last and managed to get half a point meaning the defeat for Northamptonshire was confirmed. A solid half-point from Ryan who managed this feat against the county veteran, & head greenkeeper, of Cosby Golf Club.

Lee Hitchcock vs Martin Anderson – Lee battled well and found himself as 2up the turn in this game, but two untimely errors cost him 2 holes and the match still pretty much in the balance through 14. Anderson stepped up on the 15th hole and rolled in a fantastic 30-footer to put Lee behind for the first time in the game. The 30-foot put was superseded in spectacular fashion however, as Anderson holed out from 150 yards on 17 for an eagle 2 in front of the following supporters!! Lee attempted the same feat from 100 yards to half the hole with the ball pitching just a few feet behind the hole, meaning a 2&1 win for Anderson.

Jamie Milligan vs James Billingham -  Another match where Leicester started quickly and Northamptonshire unable to make a dent in the tight deficit. After watching Billingham in the morning, you could tell the 20-years he has spent playing at Cosby paid off as he holed everything he looked at and a flourish from the 11th hole resulting in a 5&4 win for the local. 

This was not the result Northamptonshire were looking for to start the season, however some definite positives to take from the match. Jordan Darnell with 2/2 points, a fine performance and it was pleasing to see his confidence returning. 
The team showed great spirit, and togetherness throughout which leaves NGL first team in a great stead to drive results for the season. 

Final team score – Leicestershire 8.5 vs Northamptonshire 3.5