Yorkshire  start with a 9-0 whitewash of Worcestershire   Yorkshire were on sparkling form today, despite downpours on the first day of the England Senior Men’s County Championship, as they pulled off a 9-0 clean sweep against Worcestershire.  In the other – very close - match, BB and O (Berks, Bucks and Oxon) won the last game of the day on the 18th to beat Devon 5-4 at Robin Hood Golf Club, Solihull.  The weather played its part as the day unfolded. The foursomes were dry, but torrential rain delayed play for over an hour at the start of the singles and the teams were soaked throughout the afternoon. However, the sterling efforts of course manager Andy Wood and his team kept the course playable. BB&O captain Ashley Brewer said: “Robin Hood should be very proud. The course stood up very well and the green staff were magnificent. The whole presentation and the ambience of the competition is fantastic.” Yorkshire set off as they meant to go on, sweeping ahead in the foursomes and winning all three games.   However, their top pair of England senior international Stephen East and Peter Ward had to work for their point, holding on through a tight finish with a series of pars to finish one up. By contrast East and Ward both sped off in the afternoon. East played 13 holes in just a couple over par, despite the conditions, and won 6 and 5 to put Yorkshire’s first point on the board.  Ward, who had three birdies in his first six holes, soon followed him in, winning 5 and 4.  There were more big wins for Marshall Newman (6 and 4) and Chris Mear (5 and 4), while Steve Mason (image © Leaderboard Photography) and Ian Clarke both held their nerve to win on the last – with Clarke scoring a winning birdie.   “It was very exciting, very nerve wracking,” said Yorkshire captain John Grimbleby, as he recounted how his team worked to the whitewash.  “You always hope for it, but you don’t think it’s possible. A lot of things have to go for you and they did.” But he added: “It’s only one win.” Mason, who had been three down at one stage, had an additional reason to celebrate, when his first grandchild was born during the afternoon.  Mason’s son, James, was an England international in the early 2000s. The match between Devon and BB and O was extremely close all day.  Paul Vicary and Richard Ward put Devon 2-1 ahead after the foursomes when they turned their match around, getting in front for the first time on the 18th where they won one up.  But BB and O came out with great determination in the afternoon, winning two of the first three games to make the scoreline square – with three extremely tight games still to be decided. Phil Sewell had led over the outward half but was two down with four to play. He won the 15th and 17th to get back to all square and holed a good eight-footer on the last to hang on to the half. George Wilson secured another half in a nip and tuck game, sending his final chip close to the pin. Then Malcolm Reid sealed the BB and O’s fightback with a one-hole win. He was behind early on after his opponent, Rick Pillow, birdied two of the first three holes, but he turned his match around, securing a lead as he played the final holes. “We are delighted,” said Brewer. “We are sorry for Devon because they led all the way and it’s really been nicked from them against the run of play.” Tomorrow BB and O play Worcestershire; Yorkshire play Devon Click here for full scores.   Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193