HERTFORDSHIRE ladies made a strong start to their challenge for top honours at the National County Finals at Long Ashton Golf Club, Bristol. Having recorded a clean sweep in the regional finals earlier in the year (beating Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Essex,

HERTFORDSHIRE ladies made a strong start to their challenge for top honours at the National County Finals at Long Ashton Golf Club, Bristol.

Having recorded a clean sweep in the regional finals earlier in the year (beating Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Essex, Suffolk and Cambs. and Hunts at Newmarket).

Hertfordshire overcame Warwickshire 6-3 on the opening day of their bid to become national champions for the first time.

The Herts Ladies took the morning foursomes 2-1, with Tina Jeary and Jackie Foster (both Bishop's Stortford) and Alison Franklin (Harpenden) and Harriet Key (South Herts) recording comfortable victories.

In the afternoon singles, there were excellent wins for Harriet Key, Tina Jeary, Jackie Foster and Charlie Douglass (Brocket Hall).

On the second day, Hertfordshire were drawn against Leicestershire, who had also been first day winners: 6-3 against Dorset.

The morning foursomes were hotly contested, with all three Hertfordshire pairs behind at the half-way stage. Alison Franklin and Harriet Key battled back to win on the final hole, after several excellent birdies towards the end. Charlie Douglass and Steph McEvoy (Old Fold Manor) came through for a fine 3/1 win, while Lucy Williams (Mid Herts) and Charlie Field (Harpenden) held on to be all square after 18 holes.

The afternoon singles proved so tough that only Alison Franklin (6/4) and Charlie Douglass (2 up) were able to win their matches. With the other four games claimed by Leicestershire the match finished all square at 4 1/2 points each.

Hertfordshire took on Yorkshire in what was billed as a possible title-decider on Wednesday and clash with Sussex today (Thursday) and Dorset on Friday.