Ironically, Morpeth's Sandy Twynholm was below par — but not on the course! When partnering clubmate Craig Penny in the morning foursomes, they lost on the last green one down to K. Nicholson (Haddington) and R. Carson (Dalmahoy). It was a tight race to the finishing line but they lost by a nose.

There was further disappointment for Twynholm in the singles when he lost to Carson by three and two.

The season is, however, only just underway, so there's a lot of water to flow under Sandy's bridge, and I confidently forecast he will again be a considerable force to be reckoned with in all the County fixtures he plays in. He will also be defending his Champion of Champions title at Slaley Hall.

Penny, however, kept the flag flying ,as he had an excellent three and two victory which enabled Northumberland to win the singles, and after winning the foursomes 4-2, recorded an overall victory by 11-7.

The Northumberland players were fittingly, jockeying for position in High Gosforth Park, hoping to make the team to challenge in the Northern Counties League with the first match against Yorkshire at Morpeth on Saturday.

I fancy Twynholm will be a better horse to back on the finishing straight over his home track.

Here's hoping, and also for victory against arguably the favourites. Yorkshire's great record is relative to their much higher number of clubs, hence greater strength in depth. However, if the Northumberland players are in good form, they could give them a good run for their money.