JERSEY’S senior and junior golf teams returned from Guernsey at the weekend with both trophies in hand, following two fiercely contested matches on a well-prepared L’Ancresse course.
Jersey’s seniors toppled Guernsey 9-6 whilst the juniors secured a narrow 8-7 win on foreign grounds.
The greens were in superb condition throughout the weekend, although the fast-paced surfaces, especially downwind, offered a distinct advantage to the home side, with many visiting players struggling to hold approach shots.
The experienced Jersey seniors took a narrow 3-2 lead after Saturday’s fourballs, thanks to some commanding performances. Leading the team out were Channel Islands Senior Champion Jeremy Phillips and partner Paul Horgan, who produced a clinical display of golf to win 6&5.
Captain Bob Wickings and debutant Grant Gilmour followed up with a 3&1 victory.
The middle-order pairings of Evans and Hesford alongside Le Feuvre and Kean halved their matches, before Guernsey clawed one back with a narrow win in the final match.
Eggo and Marley of Guernsey edged out Simon Allchin and Chris Huelin, giving the hosts a crucial point and leaving Jersey with a slender advantage heading into Sunday’s singles.
In the junior fixture, Guernsey took the early initiative with a 3-2 lead after the fourballs. The younger Jersey side, many of whom had never played L’Ancresse before, faced a tough challenge against a more experienced and lower-handicapped Guernsey line-up.
Despite that, the matches were closely contested, with holes frequently halved in birdie and both teams putting on a high-calibre display that thrilled the watching crowd.
A dramatic comeback from Zeale and Ridgeway, who recovered from five down, nearly squared their match on the 18th. However, a plugged lie in a greenside bunker denied Zeale a chance to halve, and Guernsey held their lead into day two.
Sunday’s action got underway after a short delay due to early morning lightning, with the juniors leading the charge.
Guernsey came out with intent again, gaining the early edge across the front nine. But inspired leadership from non-playing captain Benjamin Carnegie Bedlow helped spark a Jersey resurgence.
William Aikenhead drew on his Hampshire experience to close out a 2&1 victory over Alex Mills, while Jacob Townsend continued his remarkable year with an emphatic 5&4 win against Jack Gilby.
The momentum continued with crucial wins at the tail end from Rafa Leonard and Aiden Wilson.
A pivotal moment came on the 16th, when Henry Zeale holed a clutch putt under pressure to halve the hole, securing at least a tie for Jersey, and thereby retaining the trophy. Zeale went on to win his match, sealing a hard-fought 8-7 victory for the visitors.
Jersey’s seniors were made to work hard to convert their overnight lead. Once again, it was Phillips who set the tone, closing out his match early on the 14th green.
Gilmour, capping off a superb debut, added another point to finish with a perfect two-from-two record.
With the next few matches tightly fought and honours even, it came down to the final stretch. McGregor, stepping in for the injured Huelin, delivered a vital point before Mark Hesford secured the decisive win, ensuring a 9-6 overall victory for Jersey.
The double success sets the tone for this weekend’s men’s and ladies’ inter-insular matches, to be held at Royal Jersey.
Jersey’s men will be seeking revenge for last year’s loss in Guernsey whilst the ladies go into their match as favourites, fielding a strong team of home players.
Supporters are encouraged to attend, with foursomes teeing off from the 1st and 10th tees at 8:30am on Saturday. Full scores and live updates will be available via the Jersey Golf website and social media channels.
Jersey Men’s Inter Insular Squad:
Captain: Chris Young
Vice Captains: Mat Hague, James Newton
Squad: Simon Allchin, Andy Clarke, Alex Guelpa, Hugo Jacques, Charlie Kiberd, Josh Ozard, Matthew Parkman, Jeremy Phillips, Richard Ramskill, Jacob Townsend, Reserve: Oliver Allchin
Jersey Ladies’ Inter Insular Squad:
Captain: Nicola Mollin
Vice Captain: Juanita Adlington
Squad: Lily Buckley, Helen Gray, Abi Harris, Louise Kirton, Brona Lambert, Sarah Le Boutillier, Anabelle Lucas-Villar, Melissa McMahon, Ann-Marie Pereira, Hannah Scriven, Reserve: Gloria Paradiso
