Golfers are champions for the first time in 18 years

Shropshire & Herefordshire celebrated a landmark Midland Golf Union league title after edging Warwickshire 8-7 in a dramatic final match of the season.

The result, played at Herefordshire Golf Club, saw S&H take a 3-2 lead from the morning foursomes before the afternoon singles went down to the wire.

With the first four singles matches failing to produce a point for S&H, five points were required from the remaining six games. They delivered under pressure to secure an 8-7 victory and their first league title since 2008.

Captain Tom Kerr said the success had been a “massive team effort” throughout the campaign, with every player who had represented S&H contributing to the achievement.

President Nigel Chesters, who captained the club to its previous title in 2008, also shared in the celebrations.

Meanwhile, S&H’s second team narrowly missed out on their own league title despite an 8.5-6.5 victory over Warwickshire seconds at Kenilworth Golf Club.

S&H led 3.5-1.5 after the foursomes and drew the singles 5-5, but Worcester seconds also won, leaving the sides level at the top with S&H losing out on game difference.

Captain James Platford praised the team’s contribution and cohesion over his two-year tenure.

Handicap League champions

Market Drayton ere the winners of the S&H Handicap League, beating Llanymynech in the final at Shrewsbury Golf Club.

Meanwhile, Wrekin overcame Shrewsbury in a tight Scratch A final, winning by seven holes after the games were tied, while Burghill Valley are the Scratch B champions after beating Market Drayton 5-3.

Under-14s

S&H Under-14s suffered a 4-1 defeat to Derbyshire at Bakewell Golf Club.

Lewis Evans (Leominster) and Henry Eyles (Shifnal) had to settle for a half, after being denied victory on the final hole, while Henry Gurney (Leominster) & Jacob Child (Telford) also halved their game.

The under-14s had also competed in the Midland Boys County Championships at Longcliffe Golf Club, featuring teams of six of all 10 counties who are affiliated to the Midland Golf Union.

Ten-year-old Ollie Evans (Leominster) was the highest-ranked S&H player with a 30th-place finish after scoring 10 over par, while Rufus Treharne (Wrekin) and Gurney finished 42nd and 44th, respectively with 87 and 88.