Bury name a squad of 15 for defence of Hambro title

Team captain Phil Smailes has named a squad of 15 which includes newcomers Andy Cunningham from Stowmarket and Jordan Nelli from Ipswich.

Flempton’s team captain is Dez Halil whose son Alfie, the Suffolk Open champion, will be a key player.

Aldeburgh, holders of the Stenson Shield, field a very different team for this year’s Hambro challenge. Team captain Robert Palmer utilises the experience of Logan Mair, Mike Jones and Tim Hedin against Rookery Park.

The visitors, whose non-playing captain is tournament professional Chris Soanes, have not included their lowest handicap player Luke Thompson.

They can no longer call on Guy Mummery who has become a tournament professional this year. They are also without Graham Shillings and Mark Henderson who have both joined Halesworth.

Rookery will look to the youthful pairing of Suffolk junior champion Conal Downing and Ben Newman to pick up points.

Newman, who won the Fishing Smack Trophy at the club last year, attends St Felix School in Southwold. He was undefeated in a winning England Independent Schools’ under 15 team against Scotland at Collingtree Park earlier this month.

Felixstowe Ferry appear to have a well-balanced side to take on Newton Green. Rhodri Harston, the former Welsh Boys’ captain, is playing more regularly in the London area. Team captain Neil Meadows has not included himself but knows he can rely on battle-hardened campaigners like Billy McLeod, Mel Pipe, Jimmy Price and Ben Sayers.

Adam Sheldrake and Greg Hills may have too much for a Newton Green team which will no doubt look to Russell Oakey, Jed Seeley and Harvey Watts.

One of the most interesting matches will be at Stowmarket where home team captain Henry Cutting will be plotting the downfall of Diss.

The visitors have named all their top county stars. James Biggs, Chris Bartrum, Josh Driver and Charlie Taylor will be giving away plenty of shots.

Ufford Park look to have a useful blend with low handicappers George Fricker and Josh Robertson with other payers with Hambro experience including Mike Virley, formerly with Waldringfield.

They take on Haverhill whose have been dark horses in this event in the past. Chris Vince is back for a Haverhill team that will miss Liam Merritt who is on holiday.

Gorleston are at home to Southwold. Team captain Danny Perring has named himself as reserve in a side without Danny Western or John Maddock. The fast-improving Jack Butcher will take some beating on his home course.

Southwold field stalwarts like David Burrrows and Paul Booth. Guy Maynard, who played well for Suffolk juniors last season will have a key role. They have not included Joe Ford who was the pick of the Suffolk juniors at this month’s Stoke by Nayland junior open but is still eligible for the Tolly Cobbold Cup.

Hambro Cup first round

Felixstowe Ferry v Newton Green

Felixstowe Ferry: Ben Sayers, Adam Sheldrake, Jim Price, Mel Pipe, Greg Hills, Billy McLeod, Rhodri Harston, Steve Sayers. Captain: Neil Meadows.

Newton Green: Russell Oakey ,Scott Nayler, James Cooper, Simon Bearman, Ian Woodhead, Harvey Watts, Jed Seeley, Adam Foster. Reserve: Ollie Page.

Gorleston v Southwold

Gorleston: Tommy Hunt, Steven Crosby, Matthew Alp, Christopher Duffy, Josh Manser, Ray Thompson, Brendan Gough, Jack Butcher. Reserve and captain: Danny Perring.

Southwold: Guy Maynard, David Bullard, Mark Langley, Jeremy Turner, John Meikle (team captain), Russell Palmer, David Burrows, Paul Booth. Reserve: Keith Hurr.

Ufford Park v Haverhill

Ufford Park: Josh Robertson, Luke Cleland, James Keeble, Mike Virley, Tom Wake, Terry Noble, Simon Severwright, George Fricker, Paul Jordan (captain).

Haverhill: Andy Fish, Harvey Bavester, Jack Warwick, Dave Spittle, Andy Underwood, Jack Bligh, Chris Vince.

Aldeburgh v Rookery Park

Aldeburgh: James Ollington, Mike Jones, James Barham, Mike Olding, Tom Huggins, Tim Hedin, Logan Mair, Jim Harrison and Robert Palmer (team captain).

Rookery Park: Conal Downing, Ben Newman, David Porter, Rob Dawson,

Andy Coleman, Dwayne Barber, John Fisher, Mike Sharp. Reserve: Craig Bloodworth. Team captain: Chris Soanes.

Bury St Edmunds v Flempton

Bury St Edmunds (from): Mike Greener, James Scott, Jordan Nelli, Stephen Duffety, Dan Smailes, Trevor Titcombe, Roger Nicholson, Stephen Lankester, Adam Hooper Greenhill, Craig Nurse, Andy Cunningham, Ben Aves, Ben Coleman, Phil Graham, Justin Millard. Captain: Phil Smailes.

Flempton: Alfie Halil, Mark Read, Angus Rust, Colin Marchbanks, Andrew Mangeot, Dan Wilson, James hurst, Rupert McCullen, David Cargill, Stuart Jarvis, Ralph Evans, Dez Halil (captain).

Stowmarket v Diss

Stowmarket: James O’Doherty, Kieran Issitt, Matt Lockwood, Scot Bennett, Mark Jones, Owen Clouting, Ross Harvey, Andrew Forgan. Reserve: Ben Forgan. Captain: Henry Cutting.

Diss: Paul Elliston, Darren Maskell, Josh Driver, Chris Bartrum, George Osborn, Michael Closs, James Biggs, Charlie Taylor. Reserve: Archie Moore. Captain: Tony Osborn.

Second round (June 17)

Thorpeness v Bungay, The Suffolk v Ipswich, Stowmarket or Diss v Hintlesham, Felixstowe Ferry or Newton Green v Woodbridge, Aldeburgh or Rookery Park v Ufford Park or Haverhill, Bury St Edmunds or Flempton v Seckford, Fynn Valley v Rushmere, Halesworth v Gorleston or Southwold.

Meanwhile, West Suffolk Golf Centre are faced with just about the longest possible trip when they visit Gorleston in the first round of the Tolly Cobbold Cup tomorrow.

It is also a long journey for Bramford who are away to Haverhill.

Holders Ufford Park have the shortest trip when they play at Seckford. Southwold have received a walkover from Beccles.

Tolly Cobbold Cup

First round

Bungay v St Audrys

Bungay: Chi Yeung, Daniel Andersen, Mark Spalding, Craig Payne, Paul Jehan, Andy Cann, Mike Shead, Steve Rowe.

Fynn Valley v Halesworth

Fynn Valley: Craig Carr, Lewis Rowlands, Gary Hignett, Wayne Clarke, Rob Olson, James Maund, David Hutton, Jordan Mayes, Brian Warden. Captain: Jim Hunt.

Thorpeness v Ipswich

Thorpeness: Damon Bloomfield, Harry Brinded, Roger Brown, Sean Clements, Mick Cook, James Cook, Graham Denny, Nigel Jarvis, Chris May, Ben Vincent, Doug Vincent, Captain: James Tilbrook.

Other ties: Bury St Edmunds v Aldeburgh Artisans, Diss v Hintlesham, Felixstowe Ferry v Flempton, Gorleston v West Suffolk, Haverhill v Bramford, Rookery Park v Newton Green, Seckford v Ufford Park, Stowmarket v Brett Vale, Woodbridge v St Clements.