Loughburians draw to Old Ratcliffians in their first 2024 golf match

The Loughburians played the Old Ratcliffians in the first match of the 2024 golf season, on 17 April at Rothley Park Golf Club. Captained by Dave Barnett (LGS 1977) the final result was a 2-2 draw – the first match to be played between the rivals in 20 years.

The  Loughburians Team was made up of Philip Scott (FFD 1972; LGS 1980), Steve Maud (LGS 1979) Pippa Arkle (LHS 1999), Jonathan Carlisle (LGS 1989) Chris Drane (LGS 1976), Will Scrivins (LGS 1979) and Roger Bayes (FFD 1973; LGS 1980).

With the course a little damp from the recent heavy rains and past winter, Team Captain Dave Barnett was pleased to take to the first tee at Rothley Park, despite the inevitable April showers and chilly breeze.

Dave says: ‘This is the first match we have had against Old Ratcliffians for 20 years, so I reminded the team before teeing off, that the last time the match was played The Loughburians had enjoyed a comfortable victory. The pressure was on to repeat this win so we could claim the new Trophy presented by the Loughburians Golf Society for this now to be regular, annual match.’

The match turned out to be a very exciting affair, with matches 2, 3 & 4 out of the four ‘fourball betterball’ matches being settled well before the 18th hole, with Phil Scott & Steve Maud losing 3 & 2 against Old Ratcliffians Andy Simpson & Sean Kelly.

Dave Barnett & Pippa Arkle also lost their match to Old Ratcliffians George Santanay and Alison Court, with the final match going the way of The Loughburians with Jonathan Carlisle & Chris Drane overcoming Old Ratcliffians Myles Halley & Keith Edgar.

The match score was therefore 2 to 1 in favour of Ratcliffe with the final match to finish being tied at all square after 17 holes. Will Scrivins proved to be up to the task in hand and stepped up to the plate to win the final hole for The Loughburians, to make the result 2-2.

So, there was no winner of the new trophy which will be played for again next year.