Day 135 - Pearson Final

Phew What a Scorcher! It was hot today... the warmest day ever at Wimbledon, if I understood the news properly. And it was decidedly steamy as I took the car down to Bramley Golf Club to support the Burhill Pearson team.  In the morning, they played their semi-final match against Farnham, interspersed between the other game which saw Wisley paired against Camberley Heath.

I was unable to stay until the end as I had a doctor's appointment, but when I received the text from Gabi telling me that our Ladies had been victorious (by the thinnest of margins, 4 to 3), I knew I had to return to watch the final.

But first I had a necessary, if emotionally painful, task to perform: the combination of the heat and my swollen left hand meant that my wedding ring was far too tight and needed removing. Of course I have taken it off since my wedding 30+ years ago, but I have certainly never been without it on my hand for more than a couple of hours... it does feel weird not have it on!

Then to the final: Burhill Ladies versus The Wisley.  For a while all looked plain sailing with the early matches very much going our way. As the afternoon, then early evening, wore on everything began to look a lot closer, with 3 of the 7 matches finishing their 18 holes all square and having to go back to the 1st for an extra hole and more. 

As things turned out, everything depended on the final match as the scores were tied 3:3.  Gripping stuff.... The final Burhill player, Linda, did a great job to haul things back to be yet another player who squared the match on the final hole.  Unfortunately, it wasn't to be though, as her Wisley opponent played the 19th hole very tidily and managed to hole the crucial putt to give her side victory by 4 to 3.

After the conclusion of the match, everyone looked shattered: playing 36 holes in temperatures approaching 40 degrees, combined with the tension that the match brings, clearly asks a lot. I hope that everyone sleeps well tonight: the whole team can be proud of their achievement. So close....