HALE and Knutsford played a closely contested game as the second overseas Ryder Cup was battled out in Portugal with Hale winning by a 1 point margin.

It went right down to the last putt after the three day contest at the Algarve, with the teams playing twice at Palmares and once at Boavista.

After day one Hale led by 1 point but after the second day Knutsford had reversed this and they took the lead 24½ to 23½.

On the final day, Hale’s Chris Brown managed an up and down from a bunker to secure a half in his game, which left it down to John Webb to hole a six footer to win the match and take the cup by one point, with the final score being 48½ to 47½.

Hale professional, Richard Booth, said: “Many thanks and congratulations to the Hale team for making it such a memorable trip and thanks also to the Knutsford pro Tim Maxwell and his team for a great contest, played in the right spirit.”