Yorkshire fight back as they look to keep grip on Northern Counties crown

Yorkshire’s determination to retain their Northern Counties Match Week title came through loud and clear as they came back from trailing in the foursomes to see off Cheshire, one of the pretenders to their throne.
By Chris Stratford
Published 25th Jun 2015, 01:06 BST
Yorkshire's Northern Counties Match Week squad, who are led by captain Jean Waring, second left on front row.Yorkshire's Northern Counties Match Week squad, who are led by captain Jean Waring, second left on front row.
Yorkshire's Northern Counties Match Week squad, who are led by captain Jean Waring, second left on front row.

Only Woodsome Hall’s Rochelle Morris and Megan Garland (Selby) won in the morning for Jean Waring’s side.

They were all square after eight, but Morris chipped in for a birdie at the ninth to put the pairing one up and they never looked back, eventually triumphing 2&1.

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But the pressure was nevertheless on in the afternoon ahead of a Roses clash today with Lancashire, their other big rivals for the crown.

Megan Lockett (Huddersfield) led the fightback with a 4&3 win, but even here she had to show her mettle. Four up playing the 15th, her opponent chipped in but, unperturbed, Lockett holed a 25ft putt for a half on the hole and to win the match.

While Lockett overcame the metaphorical sting of a chip-in, Lees Hall’s Holly Morgan had to overcome a literal one after being stung by an insect. She applied the soothing balm of a pair of birdie twos in a 3&1 victory.

Rotherham’s Olivia Winning won 4&3, Olivia Hamilton (Cleckheaton) one up, and Morris 2&1.

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Lightcliffe’s Hannah Holden faced Cath Rawthorne, the 2014 English Veterans’ champion, and sportingly conceded a putt on the last green for a half.

Rawthorne was playing after Cheshire lost two players to call-ups for the Vagliano Trophy which starts tomorrow in Ireland.

Lancashire, like Yorkshire, have won all three of their opening matches having yesterday whitewashed Durham 9-0.

In the day’s other match Cumbria defeated Northumberland 6-3.

Cheshire 2.5 Yorkshire 6.5 (Yorkshire names second)

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Foursomes: Abbie Cowlard and Poppy Finlay bt Olivia Winning and Megan Lockett 3&2, Bel Wardle and Jae Bowers bt Charlotte Austwick and Holly Morgan 2&1, Jeanne Bell and Lucy Jamieson lost to Rochelle Morris and Megan Garland 3&2 (Cheshire 2 Yorkshire 1).

Singles: Abbie Cowlard lost to Megan Lockett 4&3, Poppy Finlay lost to Olivia Winning 4&3, Charlotte Leathem lost to Holly Morgan 3&1, Cath Rawthore halved with Hannah Holden, Jae Bowers lost to Olivia Hamilton 1 up, Bel Wardle lost to Rochelle Morris 2&1 (Cheshire 0.5 Yorkshire 5.5).