The annual match of the IWGU team against the Dorset Colts was played in excellent weather at Osborne Golf Club. The morning Foursomes saw some good play and in the lead match George Foreman (Shanklin) and Brandon Thompson (Freshwater) had a resounding 7&5 win to claim the first point of the day, behind them the Cowes pair of Matt Leek and Andy Fuller always seemed in control to run out 3&2. At the back of the play Paul Spreadbury (Osborne) and Nat Riddett (Freshwater) started well but struggled at the turn and lost ground eventually losing also by a 3&2 scoreline. In the last final Foursomes match Rich Harrision (Ryde) and Matt Barnicoat (Shanklin) seemed to be in control but such is the changable nature of matchplay that they were pegged back and then lost the final hole and the match by that 1 hole. The lunch time score of 2-2 left everyone looking forward to the afternoon singles.
The Island took control of several of the matches at an early stage and Thompson, Leek and Barnicoat all ran out very easy winners. In the other matches though things were much tighter and the final hole was once again to prove a turning point in 3 of the matches. Foreman fought back from 2 down with 5 to play to be 1 Up after the last hole, meaning that the Island could not lose the match overall. Spreadbury and Harrison both lost their matches and the state of the match was in the hands of the final tow matches. Fuller came to the final hole 1 Down and snatched the hole to gain a half. Whilst Riddett came to the hole all square and again won the final hole to claim a point for the team.
The final score was 7.5 to 4.5.
Pictures of the match can be seen at:
