Norfolk Seniors began their East Anglian Senior League campaign with a thrilling victory over Northamptonshire at Sheringham Golf Club.

Norfolk triumphed 8.5-6.5 after a see-saw encounter, which only swayed the hosts’ way late in the day.

Iain Reid and Paul Hendrick posted the first point for Norfolk when they clinched a 4/2 win in the morning foursomes.

Sheringham pair Jon Batten and Neal Milton also recorded a comfortable victory.

But Northamptonshire enjoyed their fair share of success and the two sides lunched honours even at 2.5-2.5.

In the afternoon singles Carl Green marked his county senior debut with a superb 7&6 win.

But many of the head-to-heads proved hard-fought and it required gritty displays from several Norfolk golfers to ensure the home side prevailed.

Paul Hendrick was 1-down with five to play before emerging with a 2&1 triumph. Simon Butts turned his match on the final hole to finish 1-up.

And the 18th was also the scene for further drama as Batten battled to claim a vital half-point. 

King’s Lynn men Mark Butts and Iain Yule collected a point-and-a-half between them but it was left to Simon Tilbrook to take Norfolk over the winning line.

Tilbrook surged to a 4&3 success to put a smile on the face of Norfolk’s non-playing captain Gary Brayshaw.

Brayshaw said: “It’s great to start the season with a win. It was a real team effort as everyone contributed to our overall tally.

“The match could have gone either way in the afternoon, but we showed real determination to make sure we came out on top. Many thanks to Sheringham for their excellent hospitality.”

Norfolk Seniors second league clash is against Suffolk at Bury St Edmunds Golf Club on May 26th.

Norfolk: Jon Batten (Sheringham), Mark Butt (King’s Lynn), Simon Butts (Hunstanton), Carl Green (Great Yarmouth & Caister) Paul Hendrick (Sheringham), Neal Milton (Sheringham), Iain Reid (Eaton), John Shapland (Swaffham), Simon Tilbrook (Royal Norwich), Iain Yule (King’s Lynn).

Foursomes (Norfolk players named first)

Iain Reid and Paul Hendrick won 4/2 v Andrew Bilson and Andrew Gastell

Simon Butts and Carl Green lost 1-down v Dominic Ralfs and Tony Lord

Iain Yule and Mark Butt lost 2/1 v Alan Freeman and Dominic Jessop

John Shapland and Simon Tilbrook A/S v Greg Thomas and John Thorpe

Jon Batten and Neal Milton won 4/3 v Mick Barnett and Ian Donald

Singles

Reid lost 2-down v Gastell

Hendrick won 2/1 v Ralfs

Green won 7/6 v Freeman

Butts won 1-up v Bilson

Batten A/S v Lord

Butt 5&4 v Thomas

Yule A/S v v Jessop

Shapland lost 3/2 v Thorpe

Tilbrook won 4/3 v Barnett

Milton lost 5/4 v Donald