The Essex Golf Complex at Garon Park moved into the quarter-finals of the Leslie F Wood Trophy for the first time ever with an exciting win over Chelmsford.
In fairly still but overcast conditions the morning foursomes started badly with Simon Cassidy and Phil Woods losing the opener 7 and 6.
Bob Meen and Lloyd Wright also looked set for defeat when 4 down after 11. However, determination saw them win four of the next six holes to bring it back to all square on 17 and they finally won by one hole.
The three other foursomes saw Essex get in front by the fifth in each encounter and consolidate and the lunchtime score stood at 4-1 in their favour.
The other foursomes winners were Daniel Salmon and Colin Priddle (2 and 1), Paul Clark and Nick Kindred (4 and 3) and Tony Gunn and Julian Chesworth (4 and 3).
The wind started to blow at the start of the singles and the gap was narrowed when, in testing conditions, Priddle lost 5 and 4.
Up-and-coming youngster Kindred held his nerve for a superb 4 and 3 win and the Garon's boys were on their way.
As the wind blew harder, Meen pulled back from 3 down to win on the 18th. Gunn, one up at the turn, moved four ahead after 14 and won 3 and 2.
Chesworth got his nose in front early and went 5 up after 12 before winning 4 and 2.
Woods piled on the pressure to go 4 up after ten before winning 6 and 4. Wright settled down early and won 5 and 3 to see Essex home 10-5.
Clark lost 5 and 3, Cassidy 2 and 1 and Salmon on the 18th, but the Essex had made their own little bit of history in earning an away tie at Upminster.
Published Thursday, June 12, 2003
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