In their first South-Eastern League match of the season, played away at Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire, Essex made a fantastic recovery from a 3-1 foursomes deficit and eventually tied the match at 6-6.

Delighted team manager Mike Spall said: "The morning saw us 'putted off' the course, but the singles were a completely different story.

"In the afternoon we were leading after 10 holes in seven of the eight singles and all square in the other one."

In the top match West Essex's Oliver Fisher ran out a 4 and 3 winner over John Kemp. Lloyd Kennedy (Chelmsford) was eight under par when he beat Charlie O'Brien 6 and 5.

There were also wins from debutant Jack Margetts (Warley Park) and Ross Wilson (Channels), and halved matches from Justin Brown (Gosfield Lake) and Craig Housden (Channels).

In the end Essex were looking for a half from their last two matches to actually win the game, but Orsett's Steve McAnally lost 2 and 1 with Simon Larner (Channels) being beaten 3 and 2 so the proceedings ended in a tie.

Published Thursday May 27, 2004

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