Simon leads Norfolk walk in the ‘Park’

Simon Tilbrook took centre-stage as Norfolk Seniors posted their first league win of the season at Collingtree Park. Tilbrook enjoyed two victories as the visitors enjoyed an outright 8.5-6.5 triumph over Northamptonshire. Tilbrook and Chris Lamb were one of two Norfolk pairings to claim a point in the morning foursomes – Simon Butts and Steve Lloyd were also victorious. The other three games were all halved as Norfolk assumed a position of control with a 3.5-1.5 lunchtime lead. Northamptonshire threatened an afternoon revival by taking out the first two singles. But Tilbrook was part of a dominant showing from Norfolk’s middle order, which stacked up the points. Tilbrook – on his just his second league appearance – ran out a comfortable 5 and 4 winner, emulating team-mate Paul Hendrick’s winning margin over his opponent. Ever-reliable Mark Williamson and Iain Reid also closed out respective victories, leaving Lamb to take Norfolk over the line with a half-point from his head-to-head. It was fitting that former Norfolk first-team stalwart Lamb should clinch victory on his return to his county golf. Simon Folbigg also halved his match to add some gloss to the final score-line. Norfolk’s non-playing captain Gary Brayshaw said: “I’m really pleased for the team – all of them played a part in a very good victory. “In particular, it was great to see Simon Tilbrook play so well in only his second Senior League appearance. Plus it was nice for Chris Lamb to get the half-point that we needed for the outright win. He was a first-team player for many years and captained the side. We’re delighted that Chris now wants to enjoy some seniors golf as he’s a real asset for us. “Overall, once again our morning foursomes play was strong and then we’ve backed it up with a lot of fine individual performances in the afternoon head-to-heads to ensure we picked up a deserved win.” Brayshaw’s side are back in action on July 1 for the South East Seniors Foursomes Qualifier at Gog Magog Golf Club in Cambridgeshire. East Anglian Senior League result Norfolk 8.5 Northamptonshire 6.5 (Played at Collingtree Park Golf Club) Foursomes (Norfolk players named first) Iain Reid and Paul Hendrick A/S v Brendon Moss and Alan Freeman Simon Butts and Steve Lloyd won 1-up v Andy Bilson and Andy Castel Iain Yule and Mark Williamson A/S v Tony Lord and Dominic Jessup Chris Lamb and Simon Tilbrook won 3/2 v Ian Donald and Andrew Limbert Neal Milton and Simon Folbigg A/S v Roger Butler and Gary Grimmitt Singles Lloyd lost 3&2 to Moss Butts lost 4&2 to Bilson Reid won 2&1 v Castel Hendrick won 5&4 v Jessup Williamson won 3&2 v Freeman Lamb A/S v Lord Tilbrook won 5&4 v Limbert Folbigg A/S v Donald Milton lost 2&1 to Butller Yule lost 2&1 to Grimmitt Norfolk : Simon Butts (Hunstanton), Simon Folbigg (Sheringham), Paul Hendrick (Sheringham), Chris Lamb (Royal Norwich), Steve Lloyd (Barnham Broom),Neal Milton (Sheringham), Iain Reid (Eaton), Simon Tilbrook (Dereham), Mark Williamson (Sheringham), Iain Yule (King’s Lynn).