Suffolk scored their second Anglian League victory of the season when they beat Norfolk by eight and a half matches to three and a half in the sunshine at Hintlesham.
The home side led by three and a half to a half in the foursomes which meant that they needed to win three singles out of eight to secure the points.
There was no holding Calvin Sherwood of Rookery Park. He and Gregor Tait of Aldeburgh swept aside Warren Bates and Giles Evans 7 and 5.
The Suffolk pair were five up after nine when they were six under par.
Sherwood then beat Evans 5 and 4 in the singles.
Suffolk called up 41-year-old Adrian Meredith of Hintlesham at short notice after Josh Cottrell withdrew with a shoulder injury.
Meredith last played county golf 13 years ago and was Suffolk Open champion in 2007 and 2008.
His old competitive spirit remained. He and Sam Debenham, Suffolk Open champion in 2016, won their foursomes one up against Carl Green and Simon Clark. Then both won their singles matches.
Paul Waring also won both his matches. He and Adam Sheldrake were a successful foursomes pairing. Waring beat Clark, one of Norfolk’s most reliable players for many years, in the singles.
Norfolk fielded Toby Briggs for the first time this year. The England player was delayed by three weeks on his return from the University of San Francisco because he was concussed in a fall and not allowed to fly.
Briggs and Tom Nudd were two down with five to play against Suffolk captain Jack Cardy and Lagonda Trophy winner James Biggs. The match ended all square after a succession of birdies and eagles.
In the singles Cardy overcame Nudd but Biggs had his hands full against Briggs.
The Suffolk player was three up after four but Briggs then started to pile on the pressure and went on to win 3 and 1.
After going two seasons without an Anglian League win, Suffolk are at last playing with confidence and can look forward to their next match against Northamptonshire at Wellingborough on August 5.
Suffolk 8.5 Norfolk 3.5
At Hintlesham.
Foursomes (Suffolk names first): Calvin Sherwood (Rookery Park) and Gregor Tait (Aldeburgh) beat Warren Bates (Heacham Manor) and Giles Evans (Sprowston Manor) 7 and 5; Jack Cardy (Hintlesham) and James Biggs (Diss) halved with Toby Briggs (Dunston Hall) and Tom Nudd (Royal Norwich); Paul Waring and Adam Sheldrake (both Felixstowe Ferry) beat Iain Yule (King’s Lynn) and Jack Cullington (Bawburgh) 3 and 2; Adrian Meredith and Sam Debenham (both Hintlesham) beat Carl Green and Simon Clark (Great Yarmouth and Caister) one up.
Singles: Sherwood beat Evans 5 and 4, Tait lost to Bates one down, Biggs lost to Briggs 3 and 1, Waring beat Clark 4 and 2, Sheldrake lost to Cullington 4 and 3, Meredith beat Yule 3 and 2, Cardy beat Nudd 4 and 3, Debenham beat Green 2 and 1.
- Suffolk second team maintained their unbeaten record, but only just, at Caldecott Hall.
James Tyler and Chris Bartrum were four up with six to play so will wonder how they were held to a half by Dylan Green and Aiden Tanner.
Tyler was one up with two to play in his singles against Richard Wilson but lost one down.
Singles wins for Sam Byford, Ben Sayers, Jed Seeley and Charlie Taylor saved Suffolk a point.
Norfolk 2nd Suffolk 2nd 6
At Caldecott Hall.
Foursomes (Norfolk names first): Dylan Green and Aiden Tanner halved with James Tyler and Chris Bartrum; Shaun Larkins and Kevin Webb halved with Sam Byford and Jed Seeley; Craig Spurr and Liam Cossey beat Charlie Taylor and Jasper Johnson 2 and 1; Richard Lindley and Richard Wilson halved with Ben Sayers and Josh Robertson
Singles: Wilson beat Tyler one up, Tanner lost to Byford 3 and 2, Green beat Bartrum 2 and 1, Larkins lost to Seeley 2 and 1, Webb lost to Taylor one down, Spurr halved with Johnson, Lindley beat Robertson 4 and 2, Cossey lost to Sayers 4 and 2.
- Suffolk have named their six players to the South East Group county qualifier at Orsett on July 14.
Cardy and Debenham from Hintlesham, Biggs from Diss, Tait and Scowsill from Aldeburgh and Waring from Felixstowe Ferry.
Monty Scowsill has been unwell in recent weeks with glandular fever and a late decision will be made.
There is a big incentive for Suffolk. The county finals will be at Aldeburgh on September 28, 29 and 30.
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