ONE hundred years after Worcestershire's first county golf match, which was against Gloucestershire, the teams met again to play at The Worcestershire Golf Club, Malvern Wells, on Sunday.

The counties have played every year since 1906, excluding the war years, and this was the 90th match.

The counties first met on June 1, 1906, at Minchinhampton Golf Club and it was appropriate to welcome the Gloucestershire team to The Worcestershire for this centenary fixture.

Worcestershire had high hopes of victory in what always proves to be a tough match against a very strong team. They welcomed back Joe Ferguson, Kidderminster, for what might be a guest appearance. He is attempting to qualify for the professional tour at Frilford Heath this week.

Some great news received on Saturday night - Adam Norman had won the Berkamstead Trophy, a national event of significance and always watched with interest by England selectors. Not only did he win it, but his margin of victory was six strokes. A great performance from Adam and he was pleased to note that his winning score of 137 was one better than the winning score achieved by Luke Donald when he won the same event in 1996.

The foursomes can be crucial and so they proved to be on this occasion. Worcestershire won the top match and the bottom match but lost out in the other three.

A strong performance in the singles saw Worcestershire level the scores with the last match on the course. This featured two experienced players, Anthony Hill (Worcs) and Nigel Thompson.

It was fitting, therefore, that their match stood at all square on the 18th tee and was decided on the green, although it was the Gloucestershire player who holed the winning putt.

To mark this centenary match, another fixture was played, on the same day, between officials and dignitaries of the two counties. The Worcestershire team comfortably won this event before all 56 players sat down to an excellent meal and the generous hospitality provided by The Worcestershire.