There were signs of encouragement for Suffolk’s Anglian League team against Norfolk on the magnificent course at Sheringham where the wind posed problems.

The home side won by seven matches to five but the outcome hung in the balance until the closing stages. Suffolk trailed by two and a half to one and a half after the foursomes. Calvin Sherwood and debut-making Chris Duffy were the winners. Suffolk foursomes champions Chris Bartrum and James Biggs were one up with two to play but had to settle for a half.

It looked hopeful for Suffolk when their captain, Jack Cardy, beat Norfolk’s leading player Jack Yule one up in a match of top quality.

James Tyler lost to Tom Nudd but then James Biggs produced a strong finish to overcome Richard Wilson.

Bartrum was swept aside by a succession of birdies from James Flesher but Jack Forgan kept Suffolk hopes alive with a notable win over 17-year-old Warren Bates who produced some great bunker shots but could not match Forgan’s powers of recovery from some long tee shots into unpromising places.

There were three matches still on the course and Suffolk needed to win two of them. Duffy had his hands full against Iain Yule who has been a doughty battler for Norfolk for many years.

Sam Byford was one down with two to play against Jamie Smith but look sure to draw level on the 17th green until Smith sunk a 35-foot putt for a half in par. These things happen in match play.

The 18th was also halved so Byford lost one down. Sherwood’s battling half with the dependable Simon Clark came when Norfolk’s win was already decided.

Norfolk 7 Suffolk 5

At Sheringham.

Foursomes (Norfolk names first): Richard Wilson and James Flesher beat James Tyler and Sam Byford 2 and 1; Iain Yule and Simon Clark halved with Chris Bartrum and James Biggs; Jack Yule and Tom Nudd beat Jack Cardy and Jack Forgan 4 and 3; Warren Bates and Jamie Smith lost to Calvin Sherwood and Chris Duffy one down.

Singles: Jack Yule lost to Cardy one down, Nudd beat Tyler two up, Wilson lost to Biggs 4 and 3, Flesher beat Bartrum 6 and 5, Bates lost to Forgan 3 and 2, Smith beat Byford one up, Iain Yule beat Duffy 2 and 1, Clark halved with Sherwood.

The Suffolk second team appeared to have the match under control after establishing a 3-1 lead in the foursomes against Norfolk at Woodbridge. They needed to win just three of their eight singles for victory.

Only junior George Fricker, a late call-up in place of Josh Cottrell who was unwell, won his singles. He showed determination to beat Craig Spurr 7 and 5.

Otherwise Suffolk let themselves down. Josh Driver and Jasper Johnson, both of whom have had considerable first team experience, achieved halves. The others were all defeated.

Suffolk 2nd 5.5 Norfolk 2nd 6.5

At Woodbridge.

Foursomes (Suffolk names first): Nathan Overton and Josh Driver halved with Dylan Green and Shaun Larkins; Josh Robertson and George Fricker beat Jake Keeley and Max Craske 5 and 4; Jordan Nelli and Jasper Johnson beat Craig Spurr and David Clarke 4 and 3; Andy Cunningham and Jamie Jones beat Darren Abbs and Ian Rollett one up.

Singles: Driver halved with Green, Overton lost to Keeley 4 and 3, Fricker beat Spurr 7 and 5, Robertson lost to Clarke 5 and 4, Cunningham lost to Craske 2 and 1, Johnson halved with Larkins; Nelli lost to Abbs 5 and 4, Jones lost to Rollett two down.