HERTFORDSHIRE'S county golf side made a dream start to the new season when they beat Middlesex 7-5 at Liphook.

"Middlesex are certainly not a weak side," said Herts coach Terry Trude, "and it's always difficult to win away in your first match of the season."

By the end of last season, Trude had identified Herts' foursomes displays as an area in need of improvement, so he would have been delighted as Ben Connelly and Joel Field gave his side the first point available, before the pairings of Andrew Bravant and Robert Leonard and John Ambridge and James York established a 3-1 morning lead.

"The foursomes effectively won us this match," Trude said, before emphasising the value of continuity in the morning pairings. "I'd love to be able to pick the same team for all four of our matches."

He might get his wish. James Ruebotham, competing in the St Andrews Links Trophy, was the only player who might have been expected to start had he been available, so a similar Herts side should tee it up on Saturday, June 22, when Bedfordshire are the guests to Brockett Hall.

Herts team: Ben Connelly, Joel Field, Paul Coburn, Mark Laskey, Andrew Bravant, Robert Leonard, John Ambridge, James York.

May 30, 2003 11:00