DAVIES & TATE FINAL: AN ALL-EAST SUSSEX AFFAIR
After a break of nearly 30 years Crowborough Beacon and Willingdon contest the final of the Sussex Inter-Club Matchplay Championship at The Nevill on Saturday (September 8).
Willingdon were victorious in 1980 before some of the
present team were born and Crowborough won the following year and lost the 1982
final to Ifield. Willingdon's second win came in 1984 and since then both
clubs have taken a back seat.
For the last 17 years Sussex's biggest and most popular amateur team tournament has been supported by the Uckfield-based company specialising in replacement windows.
From a modest beginning the knock-out championship that dominates the county calendar for six months of the year has grown to 56 competing clubs climaxing in the final for the Trophy and Plate.
This time it is an all-East Sussex affair as East Sussex National and Cooden Beach contest the secondary prize.
While the main focus is on Crowborough and Willingdon, supporters of ESN and Cooden will also be at the Tunbridge Wells venue in force.
The respective paths of Crowborough and Willingdon to the
final have not seen either of the eight-man teams seriously threatened.
Crowborough upset the form book in the semi-final beating fancied Copthorne 8-4
at ESN to reach their first final since 1982.
Willingdon defeated Haywards Heath 9-3 at Copthorne and now seek a third championship success. The Eastbourne club banner never looked in danger of being lowered this year although the third round win by 8-4 at home to East Brighton was far closer than the score suggests. From a 2.5-1.5 foursomes advantage, Willingdon had to work hard and seven of the eight singles went to the last hole.
Graham Carn, the club captain, also presides over team selection and has successfully pursued a rotational system. There is only one change from the semi-final as Dean Plant replaces Adrian Sharpin. With a wide choice, Carn is able to marshal his forces as the occasion demands.
Three years ago Plant left the security of an assistant's
job at Willingdon to try his luck on the EuroPro Tour. The venture was
not a success and he re-gained his amateur status but experience is what Carn counts
on for the big occasion.
"I think we have a good, solid squad," said Carn who played in the Willingdon team that defeated Seaford in the 1980 final. He was also in the winning side four years later against Bognor Regis.
"I think it is a question of not letting the day get to you. The course is in very good condition and all must hope to play well."
Crowborough won all of their first four matches at The Beacon and Ian Every, the team spokesman, expects well over 100 members to be at The Nevill.
"We are very much
looking forward to the day. The whole club is buzzing. We can't
wait for the start and the team is the same that beat Copthorne so morale is
very good."
Crowborough Beacon: Martin Thornhill, Richard Leeves, Tom Dagwell, Jeremy Ellwood, Ian Adams, David Mackellow, Graham Smith, Gavin Park.
Willingdon: Rob Hampson, Jay Penfold, Dean Plant, James
Gietzen, Craig Fletcher, Matt Hepburn, Andy Theo, Mark Wootton.
Willingdon: 1st round, beat Eastbourne Downs 10.5-1.5
(away).
2nd round, beat Cowdray Park 8-4 (home).
3rd round, beat East Brighton 8-4 (home).
4th round, beat Slinfold Park 10-2 (home).
semi-final: beat Haywards Heath 9-3 (at Copthorne).
Crowborough Beacon: 1st round, beat Hill Barn 10.5-1.5 (home).
2nd round, beat Peacehaven 9.5-2.5 (home).
3rd round, beat Chichester 8-4 (home).
4th round beat Pyecombe 10-2 (home).
semi-final, beat Copthorne 8-4 (at ESN).