Who said winning away from home was a difficult thing to do?
While it’s true that more sides drawn at home in the 2023 British Clubs Mixed Championships win their games compared to visiting teams, away sides are fighting back this year.
More visiting teams have won their first round games compared to last season – giving hope to all other away sides.
Pride of place goes to Leominster GC, who saw off Herefordshire GC 5-0 to earn a home game against Moor Park GC, who also won away – 4-1 against Wishaw GC.
To ensure clubs aren’t advantaged or penalised by having too many home or away games as they progress in the competition, home and aways are redrawn after each round.
That means that the four regional winners who make the national finals will all have to win a combination of home and away ties to progress to the latter stages.
So well done also to a host of away victors including Brickendon Grange GC, who saw off Mid Herts GC B 3-2.
In the northern division, there were away wins for Rochdale GC, who edged Accrington GC 3-2, Willow Valley GC, who pipped Woolley Park GC 3-2, Scarborough South Cliff GC, who beat Wilton GC 4-1, City of Newcastle A, who defeated Whitby GC 3-2 and Stocksfield A, who overcame Bamburgh Castle GC 4-1 and Alnmouth GC, who saw off City Of Newcastle GC, by the same scoreline.
In the Midlands, Belton Park GC beat Stoke Rochford GC 4-1, Beeston Fields GC edged Wollaton Park GC 3-2, Market Harborough GC pipped Willesley Park GC 3-2, Erewash Valley GC defeated Broughton Heath 3-2 and Rhos on Sea GC overcame Mold GC 3-2.
And in the south east, Camberley Heath GC edged Royal Mid Surrey B 3-2 while Farnham GC B pipped Clandon Regis GC 3-2.