There was a five-star effort from the Lincolnshire women’s team as they defended their Midlands North title at Hinckley yesterday and in doing so qualified for the EG County Final.
However the whole squad endured a nervous few hours on Wednesday morning as they struggled against Nottinghamshire in the final round. Needing only a draw to finish top again, they were down in four of their five matches after nine holes.
But as had happened in previous two days, Lincolnshire turned it around on the back nine, summed up by the brilliant recovery of 16-year-old Ellise Rymer (Lincoln). She won her last three holes against Notts county champion Libby Kilbride (Hollinwell) to win the final tie on the 18th.
Her victory ensured Lincolnshire retained the title they won in 2019 with a 100 per cent record and they will face Hertfordshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and the winners of the Northern and South West qualifiers at Denham in September (17-19). Two years ago they finished second behind Gloucestershire in the national finals.
Lincolnshire captain Gilly Grant (Greetham Valley) said: “The team were absolutely thrilled. They played just amazing.
“Two of our squad won’t be available for the final but we will find two others to slot in and we will go there with a confident squad.”
American college student Ellie Haughton (Greetham Valley), one of those who won’t be available in September, proved a rock throughout. She won all her matches and on day one was part of a team who looked unstoppable.
They beat Derbyshire 5-0 on Monday morning and followed it up with 4.5-0.5 victory over Shropshire.
The following morning they took on also-undefeated Leicestershire and Rutland and it was two foursomes victories which proved critical. Meg Illingworth (Stoke Rochford) and Tilly Garfoot (Spalding) won 3&1 and Sophie Beardsall (Greetham Valley) and Tilly Kedzlie (Spalding) also closed things out on the 17th (2&1).
After lunch Lincolnshire made it 4 from 4 against Staffordshire (3.5-0.5) before their showdown with Notts, who would have tied the champions on eight points had they won that critical final match.