Sidmouth hold big lead after first leg of Picture Match
Golf generic picture - Credit: Archant
The Picture Match was played on Saturday at Sidmouth, writes John Barnard.
This a two-legged affair played annually against East Devon Golf Club.
The format changed this year as East Devon preferred an 18-hole match instead of the traditional 36-hole format.
There were four foursomes matches and eight singles matches. Once the foursomes were in, Sidmouth had established a small lead, 3.75 to 2.25 with a win warranting 1.5 points and a half, three-quarters of a point.
Will Hastie and Terry Jones winning two-and-one while David Pepperell and Paddy Tallon decided not to mirror their beloved Manchester United and draw at home; instead they won convincingly four-and-three.
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Picture Match captain Mark Thomas allowed the ‘cares of captaincy’ to wear him down as he and Moray Bosence had the only loss of the day.
In the single matches, Sidmouth performed really well. Neil Holland won by eight-and-seven (eight holes up with only seven holes left to play). Lewis White, playing against his old club, managed an excellent eight-and-six success.
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Mike Knight and John Jones both managed convincing wins as well with Steve Milton the only one not to record a win, but he managed a fighting half.
By the end of the day, Sidmouth were leading by 11.25 to 2.75.
Past experience shows whichever team wins at home, they need to achieve a convincing lead as the second leg away will always be difficult.
Captain Thomas will be pleased with this convincing result and will hope it is enough to retain the trophy when the second leg is played at the end of September.
