A Three Counties Match played at Northants County Golf Club, between Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Cambridgeshire.
We fielded an understrength team for this fixture as several of our regulars were studying for GCSE/A Level Exams the next day. There was also a call off the night before.
Four players were selected for their first matches at U18 level.
In the morning Foursomes our first pairing Ben Atherton and James Atwood gave a good account of their play and in two close matches they lost 3/2 to Cambs but defeated Notts 2/1. A great start for the team.
At 2 we had Ryan Statham paired with Josh Bland, who is only just 12 years old. Spurred on with some good putting this pair beat Cambs 3/2 and were one down playing the last, a par 5 reachable for the big hitters, Josh chipped onto the green for three with Notts already on the fringe of the green in 2. Ryan stepped up and holed the putt for a birdie and Notts 3 putted for a par and the game was halved. A superb performance from Northants two lads.
Next up we had Joe Jaggard and Benjamin Bailey. Our pairing played some incredible shots but also hit too many errant ones and lost both their games 5/4 against Notts and 6/5 against Cambs.
Our final pairing of Jack Meakin and Cameron Black put in a sterling performance to beat Notts 1 up but losing to Cambs 5/4. Well done to all the pairings.
Morning scores saw us 2 1/2- 1 1/2 up on Notts but 3 - 1 down against Cambs.
In the afternoon singles we found ourselves outclassed by our Cambs opponents with the exceptions of Joe, who lost the last to lose 2 down and Cameron who had a field day beating his opponent 7/6.
Against Notts Ben fought all the way to win 1 up, James, Ryan, Josh, Joe and Benjamin all lost although some of the games were close. At 7 and 8 we saw young Jack playing some very mature golf to win 3/2. At 8 Cameron claimed his 2nd singles win 6/5 to complete a good day for himself winning 3 out of 4 points.
We lost the singles to Notts 5 - 3 and to Cambs 7 - 1.
This gave us a sound defeat against Cambs by 10 - 2 but a tremendous performance against Notts before going down 6 1/2 - 5 1/2.
The Management Team were rightly very proud of the fight and determined play of the team that they were able to field. A superb display Lads against very experienced opposition.
Many thanks to Northants County GC for hosting this fixture and for presenting the Course in such excellent condition. The food provided was also excellent and appreciated by all the players and officials.
Matches | Northamptonshire | Points | Result | Points | Cambridgeshire |
Foursomes |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ben Atherton James Attwood |
|
3&2 |
1 |
Joe Austin Theo Morris |
2 |
Ryan Statham Josh Bland |
1 |
3&2 |
|
Sam Arthur Lewis Karim |
3 |
Benjamin Bailey Joe Jaggard |
|
6&5 |
1 |
Ellis Kerr Sam Hewson |
4 |
Cameron Black Jack Meakin |
|
5&4 | 1 |
Harry Sherriff Tristan Evans |
Score |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
Singles |
|
|
|
|
|
1 | Ben Atherton
|
|
3&2 | 1 | Joe Austin
|
2 | James Attwood
|
|
4&3 | 1 | Theo Morris
|
3 | Ryan Statham
|
|
4&3 | 1 | Sam Arthur
|
4 | Josh Bland |
|
3&1 | 1 | Ellis Kerr |
5 | Joe Jaggard |
|
2up | 1 | Lewis Karim |
6 | Benjamin Bailey |
|
6&5 | 1 | Sam Hewson |
7 | Jack Meakin |
|
5&4 | 1 | Harry Sherriff |
8 | Cameron Black | 1 | 7&6 |
|
Tristan Evans |
Score |
|
1 |
|
7 |
|
Match result |
|
2 |
|
10 |
|
Matches | Northamptonshire | Points | Result | Points | Nottinghamshire |
Foursomes |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
Ben Atherton James Attwood |
1 | 2&1 |
|
Will Burbidge Kai Krishnan |
2 |
Ryan Statham Josh Bland |
0.5 | Half | 0.5 |
Owen Rafferty Charlie Cooke |
3 |
Benjamin Bailey Joe Jaggard |
|
5&4 | 1 |
Theo Nelson Callum Smith |
4 |
Cameron Black Jack Meakin |
1 | 1up |
|
Laurie Hutson Reuben Tennant |
Score |
|
2.5 |
|
1.5 |
|
Singles |
|
|
|
|
|
1 | Ben Atherton | 1 | 1up |
|
Kai Krishnan |
2 | James Attwood |
|
4&3 | 1 | Owen Rafferty |
3 | Ryan Statham |
|
5&4 | 1 | Charlie Cooke |
4 | Josh Bland |
|
4&3 | 1 | Will Burbidge |
5 | Joe Jaggard |
|
2&1 | 1 | Callum Smith |
6 | Benjamin Bailey |
|
8&7 | 1 | Theo Nelson |
7 | Jack Meakin | 1 | 3&2 |
|
Laurie Hutson |
8 | Cameron Black | 1 | 6&5 |
|
Reuben Tennant |
Score |
|
3 |
|
5 |
|
Match result |
|
5.5 |
|
6.5 |
|