Golf: Something old and new in final clash

West Sussex, with origins going back to the early Thirties, meet Mid Sussex, who have only just celebrated their sixth birthday.

Roy Froud, the West Sussex team manager, believes the climax of the Sussex Inter-Club Matchplay knockout will be a "good fun day". He reasons that all the players know each other well and the final may be played in almost a too friendly spirit.

A reciprocal view is expressed by Michael Foreman, team manager their Ditchling-based opponents.

He said: "They are a good bunch of lads and I know we are all looking forward to it. As to a winner, it is far too close to call."

Froud agrees.

To reach the final, their tenth under the D and T banner, West Sussex beat Lewes 6,-5, at The Dyke, while Mid Sussex removed The Dyke 7-5 at Pulborough.

The struggle at Pulborough saw Mid Sussex hit back after trailing 2,-1, in the foursomes. During the lunch interval not one Mid Sussex head dropped and Foreman contemplated the singles on an upbeat note, declaring: "We're down, but playing well. I'm confident and, even if it goes to a countback, we'll get through."

Early encouragement for Mid Sussex was Bruce Anderson being four under when beating Dave Travis 3 and 1. But the experienced John Newsome lost to Richard Oades, the Dyke champion, by the same margin.

Foreman said: "The Dyke put their big guns out up front but, out of the first four games, we got it back to level on the day and it was Gavin O'Hara beating Les Newman on the last hole that saved a decision being made on countback."

A couple of months ago, Anderson lost his job as a rep for a company selling golf balls and he started caddying for pro Ryan Fenwick who plays out of Bognor. Being closer to the pro game has helped Anderson sharpen his edge and beating experienced Travis was a notable scalp.

Foreman, who sponsors Fenwick, said: "Dave was very complimentary and gracious in defeat."

When Martin Galway had beaten Rod Saunders 3 and 2, Mid Sussex already had Lee Thomas in early after licking Bernard Yates 6 and 5. Then two matches were still out on the course and attention focussed on Gavin O'Hara who was all square going down the 17th with Les Newman.

With Newman on for two, O'Hara had to produce a great up and down from a greenside bunker to halve the hole and win the last with a four. That was the clincher for Mid Sussex as Jones lost 2 and 1 to Sam Gayler.

It was then all back for a celebration party at Foreman's house which lasted until well past midnight and then some of the team went on elsewhere and played cards until 6am.

How confident are Mid Sussex about the final?

All are feeling pretty good and Richard Soan, who caddies for Galway, has already re-arranged his family holiday to avoid clashing with the big day at Worthing.

In six years, Mid Sussex have been losing Trophy finalists once (1996) and the next year they won the Plate. Now comes another great chance of lifting a premier trophy. They go to Worthing on merit and with the good wishes of Andy Wood, The Dyke team captain.

Wood said: "Mid Sussex proved stronger on the day. We didn't perform in the singles as well as we'd hoped. It could have been closer as, in the foursomes, Bernard Yates and Les Newman finished with a half when they had a chance of beating Steve Graham and Lee Thomas."

Also, Wood and Graham Hewitt were two up early, but found Martin Galway and Jamie Brough a couple of sleeping giants who went on to win 2 and 1. Wood said: "The match was played in a very good spirit and we all wish Mid Sussex all the best in the final."

West Sussex again looked confidently to Gary Scarfield, the Sussex captain whom the club side nickname The Postman because he always delivers.

When Scarfield won 3 and 2 on the 17th green at The Dyke against Matt Hart, West Sussex were spared the agony of losing to Lewes on countback. Froud said: "We sneaked in yet again by the skin of our teeth."