Fourth-placed finish for Lincolnshire women in national finals
Lincolnshire finished fourth in the England Golf national Women's County Finals after defeat by Buckinghamshire in their third-place play-off.
Buckinghamshire won all six singles after being 2-1 down to secure a 7-2 success.
Ella Butteriss had an impressive week, also winning all four singles clashes.
Cheshire were crowned champions for the fourth time in their history after defeating Yorkshire at Betchworth Park.
The North West county secured a win and two draws in League One to set up a tantalising final against rivals Yorkshire, who had not only won all three matches in League Two but had also beaten Cheshire at Counties Week six weeks earlier.
To reach the final in a topsy-turvy tussle against Kent, Cheshire were indebted to 2025 English Women’s Amateur Champion Lucy Jamieson who, 4-down with four to play, produced a remarkable display to go 4-under in her final three holes to keep their hopes alive.
Winning the 15th, Jamison lit fire, winning 16th with a birdie, 17th with an eagle and another birdie in a dramatic finish on the 18th to earn a valuable half.
Needing Becky McGeehan to secure the final match, jubilant, and very relieved scenes, followed her 2&1 success on the 18th green.
That half-point also removed unbeaten Lincolnshire from top spot, despite their valiant 5–4 victory over Dorset.
The 'Yellow Bellies' were left waiting in the final hour, needing Cheshire to lose, before Jamieson’s heroics and McGeehan’s composure cruelly ended their hopes.
So Lincolnshire were left to rue their singles margin despite securing victory over Dorset.
Heading into the contest, they knew a win was essential, and after a tight 1.5–1.5 foursomes session, they needed to rack up as many singles points as possible as a draw for Cheshire would still have opened the door, with 2.5 more game points enough to finish top.
With five of the six matches up through nine holes, things looked promising.
But after finishing 3.5–1.5 in the singles, they were dealt a cruel blow as Jamieson and McGeehan ensured Cheshire avoided defeat and claimed top spot.
For Dorset, Lilli Horn remained unbeaten with five wins and a half from her six matches.
“We’ve missed out by the slimmest of margins,” said Lincolnshire’s Tracey Stobart.
“We’ve gone unbeaten this week and I’m really proud of their efforts, but it stings.”
On day one, Abigail Scott’s four birdies in her final five holes overturned a 2-down position and secured a vital point in Lincolnshire’s fightback.
Cheshire made a fast start and looked in control after taking a 2.5–0.5 lead from the foursomes.
However, singles wins for Ellise Rymer, Helene Rolihed-Larsen and Imogen Hall swung momentum back towards Lincolnshire.
Two key Cheshire victories shifted the balance again, but Hall closed out her match to secure an entertaining draw.
On day two, Lincolnshire’s Abigail Scott and Imogen Hall had dug deep in the closing stages to keep the Imps’ qualification hopes alive.
One down with four to play, the pair battled to finish all square in the final match, ensuring the morning foursomes ended 2–1 before producing more heroics in the afternoon singles.
Hall, all-square after 14, finished 1-up, and with Danielle Thwaites securing the fifth singles point, Kent held a slender one-point advantage.
But Scott, unbeaten so far, held her nerve to win 1-up and secure a vital draw, eliminating Kent in the process.