Losing in the 2023 British Clubs Mixed Championships is not always the end of the road – as several sides are discovering.
It may be tough to take at first glance – but when clubs enter two sides in the competition, it doubles their chance of success.
City of Newcastle GC suffered an early loss when their B team lost in the first round to Alnmouth GC.
But a second successive victory for their A team this week not only knocked out last season’s national runners-up Stocksfield GC but ensured their place in the third round.
There they will host Scotland’s sole-surviving side Muthill GC, who enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Airdrie GC.
It was the same with Kent debutants Nizels GC whose A team lost to Camberley Heath 3-2 – only for their B team to keep their flag flying with a fine 3-2 victory over Farnham GC.
Nizel’s B will now visit Royal Eastbourne GC after the Sussex side defeated their south coast rivals Littlehampton GC.
One club with two teams in the third round is Ilkeston’s Erewash Valley GC, who enjoyed 4-1 victories over Shrewsbury GC and South Staffordshire GC.
In the south west, a nerve-wracking finish saw Exeter GC enjoy a deserved 4-1 away victory over Dorset’s Ashley Wood GC – but only after the last two pairs won their games on the 19th hole.
They will now host Cornwall’s Lanhydrock GC, who edged another close game against Exminster GC 3-2.
In Hampshire, Barton on Sea GC defeated Skylark GC 4-1 and will now host Rowlands Castle GC, who pipped Royal Winchester 3-2.
Brickendon Grange GC enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Sunbury GC while Moor Hall GC served up their second successive away, this time 3-2 against Leominster GC.
In the Midlands, Bakewell GC edged a close tie against Glen Gorse GC 3-2 while Portal GC beat Ingestre Park GC 4-1.
Portal will now host Wales’ sole-surviving side Rhos-on-Sea GC after they pipped Vale Royal Abbey 3-2.
Belton Park GC defeated Forest Pines GC 4-1 in Lincolnshire and will now visit Market Harborough GC, who finished Belton Woods GC’s run in the competition, also winning 4-1.
The closest tie took place between Cambridgeshire’s Brampton Park GC and Norfolk’s Barnham Broom GC.
With Brampton winning 2-1, both the deciding games went to extra holes where Barnham levelled matters on the 19th before Brampton’s Alan Phillips and Debbie Simpkin sealed a 3-2 win in an exciting finale.
Brampton will now visit Essex’s Abridge GC in round three after they defeated Flempton GC 4-1.
Beeston Fields GC edged a tight match 3-2 against Chilwell Manor GC to earn a home tie against Erewash Valley GC Red.
In the north, a victory on the 21st hole decided the tie between Burnley GC and Westhoughton GC in Westhoughton’s favour 3-2. They will now host Rochdale GC, who defeated Pleasington GC 4-1.
Scarborough South Cliff GC enjoyed a 5-0 victory over Willow Valley GC and will now visit Alnmouth GC, who secured a 4-1 win over Stocksfield GC B.