A beautiful sunny day greeted us at Royal Norwich with temperatures into the high 20s, the concern was to make sure enough water was taken on board and enough sunscreen applied. Last year established the format for this match with both sides playing from their own scorecard, with full handicap and the better ball stableford score winning the hole. We may want to look at this for next year – perhaps we should play this off scratch like our other matches since in all but one match the ladies were the lower handicaps! The gentlemen had obviously been putting in some hard work after last year’s match and were keen to avenge their defeat. In the main the matches were all fairly close encounters but the gentlemen finished strongly and took all but one of the matches. First appearances for the NVLGS were made by Janet Clare, Sharon Yenson and Judy Neethling with a further three ladies playing for the first time this season. The catering at Royal Norwich did not let us down and a post match meal of lasagne, salad and chips followed by profiteroles was enjoyed by all.

What a difference in the weather from our last match! The sun shone and temperatures rose to the mid-twenties. A light breeze – unusually calm for Sheringham – helped to stop us all from overheating but was enough to make club selection still a challenge. The recent dry weather had given the course a true links look with firm running fairways and quick greens – staying out of the long rough brought us rewards. Many of the ladies from Lincolnshire had had long journeys, Jackie their Captain travelling from Grimsby and several of the ladies staying overnight in Norwich. This match sees a bigger team with six pairs a side. The games were all hard fought with five having to be settled on the last green – clearly two well-matched sides. For Norfolk, it was good to see Iet Cuppens and Alex Cowie returning from recent injuries and to see our Match Captain Pat Bland there to encourage us on at halfway – we hope to see her playing again in the not too distant future. The lovely weather encouraged one or two to sample a post-match glass of Pimms and the meal of local crab salad or chicken followed by cheesecake or strawberries was enjoyed by all. It set the Lincolnshire ladies up well for their long journey home but the consensus was that the journey had been well worth it.

Rain stopped play! As Friday approached the forecast was not looking good. Most of us found the St Ives Golf Club without too much difficulty but some Sat Navs wanted to go to their previous home, now a housing estate. The new course styles itself as a links although the sea is a fair distance away. The C & H Captain had prepared the cards in advance so we were able to enjoy a relaxed coffee before play and for a few of the team it was time to renew some old acquaintanceship's. A moody sky led most of us to don waterproofs and sure enough the rain started as we prepared for the off. For the first hour or so it was intermittent and we saw a little sunshine but as the first match reached the 8th hole the heavens opened and the course conditions deteriorated quickly with greens starting to flood. After consultation between the Captains it was reluctantly agreed to abandon the match after 9 holes and we headed for the safety of the clubhouse to try and dry out. The staff at St Ives were very accommodating and were able to bring forward our meal of roast pork with all the trimmings, followed by peach melba torte. The match position after 9 holes was C & H up in 2, Norfolk up in 1 and 1 match all square. We were somewhat bedraggled so there was a reluctance for the regular team photo! An interesting debut for the two Norfolk players making their debut, Judith Pattrick and Ann Lockhart!

What a difference a year makes! For last year’s match against Bedfordshire, waterproofs and bobble hats were the order of the day – this year plenty of sunscreen was being liberally applied before play. We were welcomed at Barnham Broom by Di Daniels, Ladies Captain, who remained on hand throughout the day and looked after Bedfordshire’s non-playing Captain, Margaret Watchorn. They were seen at strategic vantage points around the course, enjoying the play and the glorious sunshine. Another welcome sight for the Norfolk ladies was our Match Captain, Pat Bland, now recovering from her recent operation and keen to get back into the fray. We all wish her well. The course at Barnham was in excellent condition and was enjoyed by players on both teams, the sun shone throughout and there was very little wind, a most welcome change of conditions. Local knowledge was on our side and four well-fought matches all went the way of the Norfolk ladies. We were well looked after by the Events team at Barnham Broom and an excellent dinner was served in the Colton Room. Several choices had been offered in advance and with a little prompting most of us were able to remember what we had ordered! Fed and watered, the Bedfordshire ladies set off for their long journey home, several of them planning to return to Barnham Broom for their next golfing break.

A bright but cold morning greeted us for our match at Gorleston. The wind blew but, as the majority of us were from coastal courses, this should not have presented a problem. What seems a feature of these matches is last minute call-offs and this was no exception with an injury at the County Championship on Friday necessitating the call-up of the remaining reserve. Sadly this was not the last call-off for the match with Alex Cowie being involved in a car accident en route to the game, the full details of which we were unaware until after the match. I am pleased to report that, although she was taken to hospital with concussion, she escaped without injury, more than can be said for her car I believe. Scratch 4BBB is tough for one player and, despite a generous concession on the 12th, the first match could not be extended much further. The other matches were close but all three went against us on the 17th. The bright sunshine of earlier in the day was long gone and we were all glad to reach the comfort of the clubhouse and the excellent meal prepared for us by Tim and his team. Scampi, skate or chicken together with plentiful accompaniments and a lovely selection of desserts revived our failing spirits. Revenge will have to wait another year.