U18s Junior Boys East Midlands match v Leicestershire & Rutland

The League had already been won by Cambridgeshire but this was the final U18 fixture of the season. With holidays and a round of the Faldo Series taking away several players from each County this was a great chance for some of our up and coming younger players to experience golf at this level.
In the morning it looked as if the test was going to be a step too far for our inexperienced team.
In match 1 Ryan and Ben found Patrick and Ethan a stern test and lost their match 6 and 4. 
In match 2 Zak was making his debut at this level and was partnered with Adam, making his final U18 appearance). They formed a good partnership and were level for much of the contest but a surge from the Leicestershire lads, Tom and George, saw our pair lose 3 and 2.
In Match 4 Riley and Ollie always struggled against the experienced pairing of Will and Callum and despite playing some good golf at times they were soundly beaten 7 and 5. A great learning experience for our pairing as to what it takes at this level of golf.
In Match 3  The two Isaacs (not a comedy duo), were up against Sam and Jack. Our pairing played some incredible golf to lead but the Leicestershire pair were always pushing and levelling the contest. As the last match on the Course and with us already down 3-0 this game would prove crucial in giving our lads belief that a turnaround was possible. Heading to 18 all square our pairing managed a win to close out their contest 1 up. Little did we know that the 18th was going to play such a crucial part in this match.
So at lunch we were 3-1 down but with a group of lads who did not want to be beaten. The experience of Ryan and Adam (a Collingtree member) could well be a deciding factor if the contest was close.
As the singles matches progressed it looked as though Leicesterhire and Rutland were in the ascendancy until the first matches caught up with members ahead. They decided to join as a 4 and Ryan and Adam then proceeded to motivate each other to turn their matches around. Ryan was 1 down playing 18 and a well played hole gave him the half in match 1 and in match 2 which was all square, Adam played the hole sensibly for an easy par to win his match 1 up. News was filtering down the order that just maybe we could get something out of the Match.
Next up was Ben Bailey. One thing Ben doesn't lack is self confidence! Despite being 5 down with 6 to play Ben believed he could win his match. A wonderful trait and an example to us all. Well, he applied pressure and his opponent faltered to such an extent that Ben was one down playing 18. Although Ben's confidence almost betrayed him on 18 as after a monster drive he went for the green in 2! Yes, put it in the water as did his opponent who had taken several. Ben then got up and 2 putted to win 18 with a 7 and snatch a half from his bewildered opponent. What a turnaround. Well done Ben. 
It was now that Ryan and Adam led the charge to support the players still on the Course as it looked as if the impossible might just happen.
In the 4th match young Zak closed out a relatively comfortable 3 and 2 win against Jack. An excellent debut, well done Zak. 
He was  followed by Isaac Hedger who was having a real tussle against Callum until a surge by Isaac saw him win 4 and 3 to secure his 2 points for the day. Isaac is a dogged competitor with a 'will to win' psyche.
His Foursomes partner Isaac was also in a very tight match against Will and again it all came down to the 18th. Isaac overshot the green with a firm bounce and after lots of deliberation a drop was taken and after a good chip and putt a 1 up win was hard earned giving both Isaacs 2 points each on the day. In Match 7 Ollie was against the experienced Sam and despite being in contention early on, Ollie found Will in superb form and he lost 6 and 4 despite playing well. Sometimes in golf it happens. Go again Ollie.
In the final match, again it all came down to 18! Young Riley playing against George saw his reasonably comfortable lead slowly disappear. and again the 18th was pivotal. Riley was on the front of the green in 3 with his opponent having been in trouble. Riley's first putt came up short but after George failed to hole a monster putt he shook hands to give Riley a 1 up win to finalise a memorable win for him and the County U18 Team against Leicestershire and Rutland, who are one of our friendliest opponents regardless of Match results.
Our County President, Catherine, was in attendance to witness the Singles Matches and she was in admiration of the lads with their superb Team spirit, supporting each other once their own games had finished. In her words the Boys were a credit to the County.
In the East Midlands League we finished tied 2nd with Leics and Rutland (3rd on countback) with Cambridgeshire winning the League with 4 victories and Notts and Lincs making up the final places.
With two hip operations booked this was a wonderful finale for me and I just have the U16s , 6 Man Team Event to come at Kirby Muxloe before going under the knife. 

John Gilding

U18 Team Manager