Norfolk's County Week campaign got off to an impressive start at Hunstanton Golf Club yesterday when they beat Hertfordshire 5-4.

Sammy Martin's team excelled on home soil to beat one of their main rivals for the Eastern Counties title in a keenly contested encounter that could have gone either way.

Norfolk, who won the event last year before going on to finish third in the national competition, quickly got into the swing on a glorious day by the coast as they took the morning foursomes 2-1.

The mother and daughter pairing of Tracey and Amelia Williamson won 5&3 and Jo Herd and Jasmine Campbell 5&4 while the youthful duo of Amy Taylor and Ellie Brown lost 4&3.

There was everything to play for after lunch and Norfolk rose to the challenge by sharing the points in the singles to clinch overall success.

There were wins for Amelia Williamson (3&1), Tracey Williamson (5&4) and halves from Taylor and Herd as the hosts got the five points they required.

Taylor's contribution proved to be a pivotal moment as she recorded a birdie at the last to secure a share of the spoils while Herd could afford to lose the 18th as she completed the match with the second half of the day.

Brown (2&1) and Campbell (one down) were the only players to lose, with the latter recovering from four down to ensure her opponent was made to work right to the very end.

'It was a very tense afternoon but we got the points we needed in the end,' said delighted skipper Martin. 'I am really proud of the way the team played. It was a tough test for them against a very strong Hertfordshire side on a hot day and they came through it really well.

'They played some excellent golf on a difficult course, with the ball running a long way in the dry conditions and players needing to plot their way around. They all played their part out there and it was the ideal way to start the week. Now we have to prepare for another tough match against Essex.'

The remaining schedule is: today - Essex (9.18am and 2.16pm), Wednesday - Suffolk (8.54am and 1.28pm), Thursday - Bedfordshire (8.30am and 12.40pm) and Friday - Cambs and Hunts (9.18am and 2.16pm).