NGL Seniors
Northamptonshire’s all-conquering Seniors team have turned their attentions to winning the Midlands League final against Worcestershire next month after beating Staffordshire 10-8 in their last friendly of 2018 at Great Barr GC.
The East Midlands League champions, who also won the 2018 Anglian League, will go into their final match on October 22nd at Henlle Park GC in confident mood after another battling victory.
With early morning rain greeting the players for the first time this year, Alan Freeman and Alan Wrigley (one hole), Mike Burnhope and Paul Armitage (2&1) and Greg Smart and Ted Dunn (one hole) took the first three greensomes points.
As the weather improved, the county soon found themselves behind as the hosts won the other three morning games, and also grabbed the honours in the opening afternoon fourballs match.
Not for the first time this season, Northamptonshire refused to panic as Burnhope and Armitage collected another win, Jim Tricklebank and Grahame Castle came in with a 3&2 victory, before Smart and Dunn bagged a half.
Staffordshire managed to level the scores with a 3&2 success in game six, but the away side kept their composure as skipper Alan Wrigley and Mike Abbotts secured the team victory on the closing hole.
Wrigley said: “It turned into a very pleasant day with the sun coming out in the afternoon – a very pleasant way to complete the season.
“Our attention now moves to the East Midlands League vs West Midlands League final against Worcestershire.
“Regardless of this result we are still looking forward to our end-of-season bash at Northants County on November 2nd which promises to be a celebration of an excellent season. Well played to all of the players.”