In-form six named for county

Shropshire & Herefordshire's golf selectors have focussed on the formbook after naming the team for this weekend's English Counties Midlands qualifier.

Five of the top six finishes in the S&H Amateur Championships have been named in the team of six, for one of the stand-out dates on the golfing calender.

And they will be joined at Chesterfield on Saturday by Church Stretton's Jonathan Gidney, the plus-three handicapper coming fresh from the British Amateur Championship at Turnberry where two 10s on the back nine of his second round proved costly to his qualification bid.

Hopes will be high that The Herefordshire's Jonathan Devereux can continue the form which saw him clinch the S&H Amateur crown on his home course on Sunday.

But he will also face a test of endurance as he only arrives back at Stanstead Airport from a business trip to Germany at 9pm on Friday, and must then drive up to the East Midlands before the 36-hole marathon the next day.

Patshull's Tim Roberts and Burghill Valley's Matthew Harrison, second and third at The Herefordshire, have been included, as have Ashley Chesters (Hawkstone Park) and Duncan Harris (Shrewsbury) after strong showings in Sunday's showpiece.

Oliver Farr, who is playing in the Berkshire Trophy, Mark Trow and Jamie Brittain - who was pencilled in as a reserve - are all unavailable.

Captain Nigel Chesters will now be the player on standby for any late withdrawal, and he has confidence in his team's talents as S&H seek a first ever success in the event.

"All six are very good players and all six are in good form," said Chesters.

"It's a tough format because every shot counts but there is the potential there for us to do well.

"We finished fourth last year, which was the best performance ever, but it would be great to go at least one better."

All six scores in both rounds on Saturday will count towards the 10 counties final total, with the winner going onto represent the Midlands in the national finals.