Golf: Ford's England win is a timely boost

Charlie Ford gave himself the perfect boost ahead of his first appearance for Leicestershire in more than year by helping England to glory.

The Kirby Muxloe ace was a member of the four-strong England team who won the European Nations Championship at Sotogrande in Spain.

For each of the four days, three of the four team scores counted towards their aggregate and England, who last won this top title in 2004, finished four strokes ahead of France on 840. Hosts Spain were third on 849.

Ford was tied eighth on three-under-par 285 in the individual section after his 69-71-69-76 returns, and team-mate Sam Hutsby was the top individual in a play-off after a tie on 274 totals.

Ford said: "It was a great result for England. I played pretty well over there and had some good games."

This week, Ford is attending an England squad get-together at the headquarters of the English Golf Union at Woodhall Spa.

And then on Sunday, he turns out for Leicestershire when they take on fellow Midland League side Staffordshire.

The County first team plays at Longcliffe, with the seconds at Barlaston as preparations for the new Anglian League continue.

Ford has been unavailable for County selection because of completing his studies at the University of Tennessee in the USA last summer, before making an increasing number of international appearances in England sides.

County captain Phil Thomason (The Leicestershire) said: "It is great to have Charlie available this weekend.

"We keep in touch with him and with all his successes, but it is good to have him in the team whenever his commitments allow."

Thomason heads the side at Longcliffe, with Stuart Marriott (Birstall) leading the seconds.

Firsts: P Thomason, (The Leicestershire), C Ford, G Eason (both Kirby Muxloe), C Webb (Birstall), S Mayfield, S Sansome (both Kilworth Springs), J Billingham (Cosby), J Longstaff (Park Hill), K Foster (Melton Mowbray), P Dixon (Willesley Park).

Seconds: A Dalby (Birstall), D Saul, R Ahmed (The Leicestershire), K Thomas (Hinckley), M Anderson (Kibworth), M Bolton, O Bennett (both Cosby), M Stephens, S Bates (both Kirby Muxloe), R Wells (Beedles Lake). Reserves: L Ford (Cosby), J Mayfield (Kilworth Springs), S Thomas (Hinckley).

Kilworth Springs have hosted their final Seniors Open Stableford of the Winter Series, but tournaments will start again later in the year.

There was a three-way tie on 40 points with Patrick Gill (Brailes) winning on countback, with Peter Moore (Hinckley) runner-up and Mick Remington (Glen Gorse) third.

Tony Pickering (Market Harborough) was fourth on local rule from two more competitors on 39 points – George O'Grady (Glen Gorse) and A Lee (Brailes), with Alan Mobberley (Lutterworth) in seventh spot with 38 points.