Yorkshire end wait to register 21st County Championship victory

Yorkshire won the English Men's County Championship for the 21st time '“ beating Hampshire 5.5-3.5 in a final day showdown at Staffordshire's Sandwell Park.
Yorkshire celebrate their County Championship success Picture: Leaderboard Photography.Yorkshire celebrate their County Championship success Picture: Leaderboard Photography.
Yorkshire celebrate their County Championship success Picture: Leaderboard Photography.

Although Yorkshire dominate the list of past winners, this is their first victory for nine years and the victory was sweet, especially after the boys’ and women’s teams narrowly lost their county finals.

Team captain Darryl Berry, who has previously played in two winning sides, said: “This is great for the team and for all our supporters.

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“It’s been a brilliant team effort, the lads have been great.”

Yorkshire set up their win with a great foursomes performances, winning 2.5 of the three available points.

“That was massive,” said Berry, who sent his top players out in the singles with instructions to get their points as quickly as possible.

Steve Robins and Kealan Lowe, playing in the first two games, duly obliged and both won 3/2.

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Robins was bogey free and five-under when he finished, continuing his fine form of the championship.

“I think I’ve had three bogeys in the three days,” he said.

“I’ve played well this week and had six wins from six games, so I’m chuffed with that.”

Yorkshire will also be pleased to hear that the 23-year-old plans to remain playing as an amateur next year.

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Lowe, the Yorkshire order of merit winner, sank a four-foot putt to close out his match and ensure that the team would win the title.

His win gave them a total of 4.5 points and, even if they lost the remaining games, they would draw the match and become champions on a countback of points won.

“It’s special to get the winning point, really good,” said Lowe, who won all his singles this week.

He was playing at Men’s County Finals for the first time, having previously been in the boys’ version.“

This is a bit bigger and scarier with more people watching,” he added. “But it’s been good.”

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