Gosfield team, from left, Del Woolliams, Mitchell Edey, John Seal, Andy Fanning, Ersan Dobran, Derek Pryke, Club Captain Barrie Schulz, Richard Bryant, Gary Jones, Jason Cloughly, Mark Francis, Richard O’Shea.

The playing record of the Stowmarket team has been exceptional with a previous win and twice runners-up in the last few years. Gosfield also has an impressive record in the competition, open to Essex and Suffolk golf clubs, having won once and been runners up five times.

So the stage was set for an interesting day’s golf.

Gosfield team captain Gary Jones was obliged to play because of the late withdrawal of Dale Argent but led magnificently on the course winning twice during the day. Gosfield started well and led 3½-2½ after the morning foursomes, a flattering result as five of the six foursomes were only decided on the 18th green.

The afternoon singles began with a tremendous rainstorm and this cleared to leave the 24 players in the 12 games to compete against the course rather than the elements. After nine holes the teams were almost honours even with Gosfield ahead in seven but only by the smallest of margins. Again the difficult par five 18th was to be the scene of some drama with eight of the 12 games finishing there. Jason Cloughly, the fourth player from Gosfield, was only beaten by an eagle 3.

After 10 games of singles were completed the match was still in doubt. With the last two matches still on the course Gosfield were dormie with nine points out of the 18 available. Mark Francis won his game and was followed by Richard Bryant who ended all square on the last hole to take the final match score to 10½-7½ in Gosfield’s favour.