County U18's v County Team

BACK L-R: Harrison Taylor, Mark Bazeley, Ben Lavender, Gary Hardy, Andy Saunders, Sam Bird, Sam Gilkes, Jacob Williams, Harrison Panter, Ben Atherton, Ollie Godwin, Callum Sainsbury, Eliott Strickland

FRONT L-R: Liam McNeela, Torin Little, Ollie Penberthy, James Atwood, Jadon Pham 

A 9 a-side match was played on Sunday 2nd April at Kingsthorpe Golf Course. After some horrid wet weather in the days leading up to the match, the Golf Course was in remarkably good condition. 

First out was Liam McNeela playing against Harrison Taylor with Liam giving a shot on each 9. Some good golf was played by both players on the front 9 with Liam 1 up. Liam's experience showed on the back 9 giving him a 4 and 2 win. Harrison then hurried off to work!

Second match saw Ben Lavender and Captain Sam Bird against Elliot Strickland and Ben Atherton. This was a super close match with the Juniors receiving a shot on each 9. Match was all square after 7 holes but then Ben came alive and drove the 8th green and two putted for birdie before hitting the green on the short 9th and holing out for a 2 to put his team 2 up at the turn. Sam had been the mainstay over the first 7 holes holding off the Juniors who were looking for something to fill Elliot's pocket! 

Elliot and Ben then turned the screw and match was a/s after 17. Ben played a lovely shot onto the 18th green leaving Elliot with a putt to win the match. Putt came up a few inches short and match halved. Well played guys. 

Game 3 saw Sam Gilkes and Andy Saunders against Jadon Pham and Oli Godwin. The Juniors received one shot on front 9 and two on back 9. Front 9 in these pairs matches were better ball with Foursomes over the back 9. This game was all square after 9 holes in a tight encounter. The Juniors then put the hammer down in the Foursomes to take the win 3 and 1. Well played lads, short games to die for. 

The 4th Match saw Jacob Williams and Torin Little play Ollie Pemberthy and Callum Sainsbury. The Juniors were given 2 shots in the better all and three for the foursomes. This certainly made a close game of it. All square after 9 holes then the 2nds were one up playing the last. Callum came up 35 yards short of the green with the 2nds on the green. Ollie played an incredible shot and almost slam dunked for a 3, the ball hitting the flag and the hole but staying out. A 1 up win for the 2nds but a super game.

Final Match saw Gary Hardy paired with Mark Bazeley, who had been a Kingsthorpe member for many years. They took on Harrison Panter and James Atwood who received 2 shots front and 2 on the back 9. Mark birdied the 9th to see his pair 4 up. However, the Juniors dug in in the foursomes and gave a good account of themselves. Final score 5 and 3 for the 2nds.

Match score 3 1:2 - 1 1/2 in favour of the 2nds. 

A super idea to let the Juniors test themselves against full County players. They will be the next full County players if they progress their games. 

A huge thanks to Kingsthorpe GC and their bar staff and caterers for agreeing to host this match.