Suffolk golfers struggle on opening day of England Women’s County Finals at Felixstowe Ferry

This was, perhaps, hardly surprising against the reigning champions who looked a powerful team despite losing last year’s star, Bethan Popel, who has turned professional.

Suffolk lost by eight matches to one but it looked as though they might have a sting in their tail in their singles.

Suffolk champion Alice Barlow beat Alison Kelly two up in the fifth match. In the final game Suffolk captain Vanessa Bell was one after 15 against Caley McGinty, who was runner-up in the girls’ county champion of champions at Woodhall Spa on Saturday. McGinty produced a strong finish to win two up.

Bell relied on players involved in winning East Week at Hunstanton for the foursomes.

Lottie Whyman and Fiona Edmond were four down after 12 but then steadied the ship to lose 3 and 1.

Bell and Vicki Inglis were level after six against Alex Saunders and Ffion Tynan but also lost 3 and 1. At least both matches reached the 17th green.

Suffolk vice-captain Sharon Luckman and Barlow were two down after six and never allowed into a challenging position by juniors Ebonie Lewis and McGinty.

It continued to be tough for Suffolk in the singles where Felixstowe Ferry’s Haskell finalists, Amanda Norman and Jo Woodward, dropped behind early. Woodward rallied only to lose 4 and 2. It was just as tough for Inglis who was three down after six and lost 5 and 4.

It will remain tough, but perhaps less daunting, against Buckinghamshire tomorrow who had a ding-dong tussle with Nottinghamshire before losing 5-4.

Deeya Aggarwal had been two up for Buckinghamshire against junior Lauren Spray. It all depended on this final match with Spray securing the half she needed to see her team to a first day victory.

Two of the Buckinghamshire side, Thalia Kirby and Daisy Kennedy have played for England Schools in the past month.

Suffolk’s foursomes start at 8.54 and the singles at 1.33. Other matches: Glos v Hants and Yorks v Notts.