There won’t be another title for reigning champions Brickendon Grange GC after the Hertfordshire side fell at the second hurdle of the 2024 British Clubs Mixed Championships.
It was closer than the scoreline suggested but congratulations to Berkshire’s Mill Ride GC, who defied the odds to enjoy a terrific 5-0 away victory against the 2023 winners.
Next up for Mill Ride is a home tie against Leominster GC, who pipped Worcestershire’s Bewdley Pines GC 3-2.
It was a double success for Leominster after their A team edged Herefordshire GC by the same scoreline to set up a trip to Hampshire’s Romsey GC, who ran out 4-1 winners away against Newbury & Crookham GC.
Elsewhere in the south west, a Somerset side is flying the flag for its county after Worleybury GC travelled to Dorset’s Ashley Wood GC and enjoyed a well-deserved 4-1 victory.
Worleybury chairman Graham Hewlett said: “It was a great day and they must be one of the friendliest and welcoming golf clubs we have played at, with a great course.”
Next up for the Somerset side is a home tie against Cornwall’s Lanhydrock GC, who edged county neighbours China Fleet GC 3-2.
They will be joined in the south west by debutants South Winchester GC, who routed Rowlands Castle GC 5-0 which set up another home tie, this time against Ryde GC, who saw off 2022 champions Stoneham GC 4-1.
In the south east, Royal Mid Surrey B sneaked a 3-2 win against Kent’s Nizel’s GC B and Clandon Regis B edged the Drift GC 3-2.
Essex’ Abridge GC beat Brickendon Grange B 4-1 to land a visit to top 100 course Camberley Heath GC, who pipped Kent’s Nizel’s GC A 3-2 and Sunbury GC edged Windlesham GC 3-2.
Elsewhere two former finalists will be facing each other in round three after Bedfordshire GC defeated county rivals Cainhoe Wood GC 3.5-1.5 and Brampton Park GC saw off Links GC by the same score.
In the Midlands, Leicestershire’s Kibworth GC continued their first season in the competition in style with a 4-1 away victory over Glen Gorse GC and to earn a home tie against Nottingham’s Norwood Park GC, who beat Beeston Fields GC 3.5-1.5.
Cheshire’s Portal GC managed a similar scoreline on the road against Mellor GC and will now host Chester’s Eaton GC, who squeezed past Maesdu (Llandudno) GC with the last putt on the 18th green.
2022 Lincolnshire finalists Belton Woods GC set up a trip to Norfolk newcomers Heacham Manor GC after beating neighbours Belton Park GC 4-1.
And Shropshire’s Lilleshall Hall GC enjoyed a 3-2 away win over Newcastle-under-Lyme GC to earn a home tie against Beedles Lake GC, who saw off Derbyshire’s Bakewell GC 5-0.
Further north, Scotland’s Muthill GC defeated debutants Downfield GC 3.5-1.5 and will now meet fellow first-timers Longniddry GC, who edged Airdrie GC 3-2.
In Lancashire, Burnley GC beat Fleetwood GC 4-1 to set up a local derby against Blackburn’s Pleasington GC, who squeezed past Haydock Park GC 3-2.
Across the county border, Howley Hall GC just got the better of Yorkshire rivals Woolley Park GC 3-2 and will now visit 2023 finalists Scarborough South Cliff GC, who edged Catterick GC by the same scoreline.
Finally 2022 finalists Stocksfield GC enjoyed a narrow 3-2 victory over Billingham GC and will now play Northumberland rivals Alnmouth GC, who beat City of Newcastle A 4.5-0.5.
This year’s four regional winners will qualify for the finals at the magnificent Celtic Manor Resort in south Wales at the end of September.