Middlesex Challenger Team vs Essex (Away) – Match Report
Date: 29th June 2025
Venue: Colchester, Essex
Report by: Joe Smith
Essex too hot in Essex …
Our 3rd challenge league match away in Essex ended in a “tonking” I’m very disappointed to say.
We came up against a team consisting 6 members of the host venue Colchester, 5 of whom are full time players in US College’s and two more plus golfers … so home advantage was at a max … and due to the fact .. that I had one of my lead players pull out late due to injury and so many of my squad playing in club championships and two more clashing in a county semi final fixture my selection was at best limited.
However we did everything correctly in as much my players played the practice round in soaring heat whilst I walked the course and made notes i did offer them to stop after 9 due to the heat and given the fact I had take notes but they soldiered on.
A nice meal was had and early night followed.. so zero excuses…
On to the action, Billy Temple and Joe Eastwood lead off losing 5&4.
Myself and Kane Stone lost 2&1
Rymer and Joe Smith JNR lost 4&3
Sonny Ridgley & Jimmy Eastwood lost 2&1
So at 4 – 0 down at lunch we were up against it and we needed a mini miracle in the singles.
Unfortunately it did not start well .. and it continued that way, heavy defeats were plenty I’m afraid….
The Eastwood brothers did make it to holes 16 and 17
In defeat it looked like our best chance of our first point would come from Kane Stone, he was on a 6 match unbeaten county singles streak and was one up with two to play.
But, fortune favoured his opponent, bouncing out of the trees twice on 17 and 18 ,he would eventually lose one down.
There are no points on the board for the red of Middlesex and 11 for Essex blue who were keen to do a white wash and I was desperate to get something on for our reds!
Both teams had gathered on 18, I was one down, my pitch shot lipped out and ran 4 foot past
GASP’s from the crowd, which turned to delight as I made the put to my relief and ecstasy!
I felt like I had qualified for the Open to get a half point, it just sent out a message to me and my team that we will fight for every point available
Battered bruised yes, but 100% certainly not beaten .. I will lead our team out against Essex in August more determined than ever.
Kevin and the whole of Essex hosted and gave us the very best of welcomes.
The game as always was played in the very best of spirit.. my team gave their best I can ask no more
We all had a great weekend and as always we thank our county for what I see as a privilege to wear the Middlesex badge ..
We will be back better and stronger 🤙🏌🏼♂️🥊.
Essex 11.5. Middlesex 0.5