Suffolk won the battle for third place in the England Women’s County finals which finished in glorious sunshine at Felixstowe Ferry today, writes Tony Garnett

Suffolk’s final match was against Nottinghamshire. Once they had established a three-match lead in the foursomes they only needed to win two of their six singles.

Suffolk captain Vanessa Bell retained the same foursomes pairings who were all successful against Hampshire the previous day.

The experienced duo of Fiona Edmond and Sharon Luckman won one up as did Vicki Inglis and Lottie Whyman.

Bell and Alice Barlow, a partnership that proved a tactical master-stroke from the third day, won 4 and 2.

Singles wins from Whyman and Lils James made sure that celebrations could begin. Barlow also won to finish the job in style.

Last year Gloucestershire beat Yorkshire in a gripping final match at Waterlooville.

This time it was Yorkshire’s turn with everything resting on the final match between Yorkshire junior champion Nicola Slater and Alex Saunders. Slater was England Girls’ under 16 champion last year.

They were level after 15 holes. A half would not be good enough for Yorkshire who had been held to a shock draw by Buckinghamshire on Thursday. Yorkshire needed the win to claim the title for the 13th time so it was all down to a teenager who held her nerve to win one up.

On the last green she rolled a long putt to within six inches and victory was secured.

Yorkshire trailed 2-1 after the foursomes notable for a hole-in-one from Gloucestershire’s 16-year-old Caley McGinty with a five-iron on the 12th hole with the green near the club house.

Felixstowe Ferry proved to be excellent hosts for such a prestigious event. To have Suffolk among the six counties involved made the week even more memorable.

It has been a great season for Suffolk. To see off Essex, Hertfordshire and Norfolk in East Week at Hunstanton was exceptional. To make such a good impression in the finals was a credit to all the players who responded to Bell’s captaincy. Finishing order: Yorkshire 9pts, Gloucestershire 8, Suffolk 6, Hampshire 4, Nottinghamshire 2, Buckinghamshire 1.