Second League Match – 30 May 2009
Cumbria go top of the Daily Telegraph Northern Counties League with a very competitive match against Cheshire at Carlisle. The foursomes margin of two points was held right through the singles to give Cumbria a 10-8 win.
Northumberland who played Durham at Ponteland where held to a 3-3 score line after the morning foursomes. In the afternoon Northumberland with eight wins out of the twelve singles matches ran out winners 11-7.
Yorkshire managed a win in the roses match at West Lancs where on a beautiful day and on a challenging course the morning foursomes finished 3-3. The singles was a closely fought affair with Yorkshire winning seven to Lancashire’s five matches. Yorkshire ran out winners 10 – 8.
Third League Match – 6th July 2009
Cumbria take top spot by beating Yorkshire at their home of golf Huddersfield Golf Club. In 1894 Yorkshire was formed at the stately Fixby Hall and at which honours boards show a proud history of Yorkshire Golf. The Cumbrian side had no regard for the historical moment and showed the Yorkshire side how to play golf. Winning the foursomes with a 4.5 to 1.5 Yorkshire new they had to come out fighting in the afternoon singles but they were soon put to the sword when they lost six of the first seven matches. Cumbria had a side of winners and won the match 12.5 to 5.5
Cheshire were the host to Northumberland at Portal Golf Club where Northumberland won by 12 – 6. Northumberland won the foursomes by 4.5 – 1.5 and the Singles by 7.5 – 4.5. Chris Paisley was inspired in the leading singles beating Mike Bedford by 6&5 and being seven under par in the process. Simon Lee was also back to his best in beating Alex Hogben by 5&4 and being four under par for the 14 holes played.
Durham took on the might of Lancashire at the Castle Eden Golf Club and only just lost by the odd point. At the end of the morning foursomes Lancashire led by 4 – 2 but a great fight back from Durham in the singles, which they won 6.5 – 5.5, left them coming up just half a point short of halving the match.
Fourth League Match - 8th August 2009
Lancashire was the host in the match against Northumberland at the Clithero Golf Club. A close fought match going down to the wire saw Lancashire defeat Northumberland by 9.5 – 8.5. The telling blow was Ken Hudson, getting down from 50 yards on the 18th to snatch a half with Ben Taylor, after James Wilson had finished with three birdies to halve with Nicky Maddison.
Cumbria continued their unbeaten run with a 11.5 – 6.5 win over Durham at the Ulverston Golf Club. Cumbria finished the morning foursome with a narrow one point lead but their first four singles matches all went their way thus taking a commanding lead. Durham rallied to take four of the next six matches but that was not good enough. Cumbria will be reflecting on their last match against Lancashire which could crown them League Champions.
Yorkshire took on Cheshire at the beautifully prepared Ganton course. They lost only four matches all day two in the foursomes and two in the singles giving them a 13.5 – 4.5 win at the end of the day. Yorkshire has improved their match points with this win and so will hope that Lancashire can beat Cumbria in the last league match on 29th August, so that if Yorkshire beat Northumberland it would come down to who would have the better ‘match points’ total.
Fifth League Match - 29 August 2009
Cumbria are crowned Daily Telegraph Champions for 2009 after beating Lancashire away at the Grange Park Golf Club by 11.5 - 6.5. Cumbria were not defeated once in the league which finished off a wonderful season after winning the 'Big 6' at Seascale Golf Club earlier in the year.
Yorkshire hosted Northumberland at the Garforth Golf Club on a very blustery day. Northumberland started well with the foursomes coming in at the end of the morning period leading Yorkshire 3.5 - 2.5. After five matches things were level but then Yorkshire pulled ahead and finally won 10.5 - 7.5.
Cheshire played Durham at the Crewe Golf Club where Durham got a point in a match where both the foursomes and singles were equal. The foursomes both Counties had three wins each and the singles went the same way with both Counties having six wins each. Match result 9 - 9.
