Warwickshire Golf

Boys Make a Storming Start to 2024

L-R : Callum Lee, Joshua Gardner, Freddy Montgomery, Alfie Mitchell, Ben Storer, Spencer Tanner, Ryan Gavin, Louis Taylor (Capt).

WARWICKSHIRE v DERBYSHIRE: BOYS' (u18) - WUGC MATCH REPORT

Venue : Moor Hall GC

Team Warwickshire's Boys (u18) got their league season underway with a home fixture at Moor Hall GC, to a Derbyshire opposition which had narrowly defeated us last season.

Following an overnight downpour the likes of which we have all become accustomed to this year, we were met with a flooded putting green, standing water on the course and several temporary greens in play. The forecast was for improvement through the day and so we were reassured that in all likelihood we would be back on a fully operational course by the afternoon singles.

Three of our players were at their home venue and the rest of the team had seen the course before so the prospects were bright for what would be a tough opening match.

We embarked upon the morning foursomes session looking to take full advantage of our local knowledge; and take full advantage is exactly what we did.

First pairing of Josh and Spencer came in with a hard fought 2&1 win against an opposing team playing some good golf.  Big wins followed for Ryan and Louis, Alfie and Ben, with both pairs prevailing by an impressive 6&5 scoreline. Completing the morning rout were the Moor Hall pair of Callum and Freddy with a deserved 3&2 win.

Lunch would be enjoyed with a comforting 4-0 half time score and with just 2.5 points needed from the 8 on offer in the afternoon singles tings were looking rather good. Whilst the win was first priority, points difference can decide league placings and so we set out with a strong will to maximise our opportunity to build a lead.

Singles points proceeded to clock up at a fast rate, with many matches concluding early and only 1 match making it to the 18th.  With Moor Hall having a notoriously difficult finish, most of the lads decided not to play it!

Alfie's 7&6 win was a standout, closely followed by our captain Louis' 5&4 success. Wins by a 4&3 margin were achieved by both Freddy and Ben, with Spencer and Ryan both coming through 4&2.

Joshua's 3&2 win brought us within sight of a scarcely-believable clean sweep in the tie, with Callum's match finely poised and with the lead having changed hands several times.

A total monopoly on points was eventually denied, as Callum came in with a very hard-fought halved match against a determined opponent.  The singles were won by 7.5 points to 0.5, and the final match score was 11.5 to 0.5. Derbyshire were sporting throughout and I am sure will be looing for revenge the next time we meet!

Our sincere thanks go to our host club Moor Hall, going the extra mile to put us out on an excellent course despite the efforts of the weather to spoil things. Thank you to John Lawton, a well known Moor Hall member who acted as honorary starter, having represented both Warwickshire and Derbyshire in his County playing days.

Thanks, as always, go to Mark and Deb Reynolds and the parents for their support, encouragement and assistance throughout the day.

Most of all, to a group which doesn't usually get thanked in these reports…our fantastic team of players, for their excellent performances on the day and including those not in the team but still supporting us remotely on the various Whatsapp and social media feeds.

Click the link here for the full scores breakdown : U18s v Derbyshire 2024

The next fixture for the Boys' team is an away match against Worcestershire, to be played away at Dudley GC on Sunday 19th May.     

Simon Taylor

Warwickshire Boys Team Manager

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