Stoke Rochford Seniors' 1,000th match ends in victory over first opponents

Stoke Rochford Golf Club celebrated their 1,000th inter-club Seniors match by playing at home against Radcliffe on Trent - their first opponents in 1986.

Each match between Stoke Rochford and Radcliffe is played for the Friendship Trophy, but it was touch and go if this year’s match would go ahead due to heavy rain.

The match was played and the hardy Seniors ventured out against the elements, the course in great condition and playing well.

Stoke Rochford won 8-2 and the Friendship Trophy was presented by Radcliffe vice-captain Brian Stone.

Mike Thornton & Don Werner won 2&1; Mike Watkins & Ken Taylor won 5&3; Barry Coop & Andrew Edwards won 2&1; Greg Ewart & Mike Nixon won 4&3; Steve Anderson & Phil Hewes lost 4&2; Eddie Plant & Graham Manton won 2up; John Martindale & Peter Gill won 3&1; Steve Major & Doug Lyne won 1up; John Hitchman & Jim Price lost 5&4; David Hamilton & Darrell Knight won 2&1.

At the match, Tim and Lucy Lindley presented Stoke Rochford Seniors the Joe Lindley Trophy in memory of Tim’s father, who passed away in 2020.

Joe was Seniors’ captain in 1989 and 1993 had been the last remaining link with Stoke’s first season in 1986.

The trophy, accompanied by a flat cap to honour Joe’s Yorkshire roots, is to be presented each year to the Seniors’ winner of the Poppy Appeal Competition, Senior captain Mike Thornton the first recipient.