Team effort drives Enville to success

The South Staffordshire-based side trumped 34 other sides to claim the trophy for just the second time in the competition's history.

They defeated county neighbours Druids Heath 3-1 in a nail-biting final at Hollywood Golf Club in Birmingham to cap a superb campaign which began in April. The competition is played in a four-ball better ball matchplay format.

Delighted team captain Adams said: "It is a fantastic feeling to have brought something like this back to Enville.

"It is a great achievement for the golf club and the team spirit has been fantastic.

"Through the season more than 23 players have played for the club. It has been a real team effort."

The team came through a total of 15 matches to lift the trophy, including eight round robin group games followed by a two-legged pre-quarter-final, quarter-final and semi-final and a one-off final.

Against Druids Heath, Jon Haynes and Ellis Chen triumphed in game one against Nigel Harris and Andrew Thacker, winning 1up while Rob Wilkinson and Garry Brandrick took game two 2&1 against John Penrose and Dean Megan.

David Lee and Phil Oliver won game four 4&3 against Tom Price and Tim Beard.

Michael Gilmer and Lyndon Cartwright lost game three to Derek Thomas and Jason Romney 5&4 but it did not prove decisive.

Adams insisted the match had been a more tense affair than the scoreline would suggest, with a number of games going down to the wire.

He said: "It wasn't comfortable at all. Game one went to the 18th hole where Jon Haynes birdied the last to close out the match.

"Rob Wilkinson birdied the 15th and 16th with long putts in game two."

It is the second time that Adams has won the trophy, having been part of the side that triumphed in the competition back in 1997.

But he said: "The second win is definitely sweeter. I was only a bit-part player the first time we won it.

"I was 25 then, I am 43 now and this is the team that I have organised, it was my team and I am as proud as punch."

Chairman of West Midlands Golf League, Ormond Lewis, praised the spirit in which the game had been played.

He said: "Both teams were well-matched. The standard of golf was remarkable at times for club handicap golfers.

"At the halfway stage it was a finely balanced match and it could have gone either way.

"Towards the end of the match Jon Haynes, Rob Wilkinson and David Lee produced some remarkable golf to swing the game in Enville's favour.