U18s Junior Boys match v Lincolnshire

On 16th April 2025 we travelled to Belton Woods Golf Complex to play our first Midland League match of the season. Lincs are always strong and we usually give them a good game and have good banter with their Officials. The weather was dry and bright but winds were in the region of 30/40 mph and made golf difficult. Our lads, however, got on with it and although we had several players unavailable the lads who played were determined to be competitive. 
First out in the Foursomes we had Captain Ollie Penberthy and Adam Haywood paired together against probably Lincs strongest players, George Emmerson and Dan Agapito.
Ollie and Adam played some very good golf and were never headed. They were 1up playing the last and were unfortunate to see the Lincs pair playing the hole very well to win the hole and halve the game.
Next we had Ollie Samler and Isaac Hedger paired together as an experiment for the season ahead. Both lads played some amazing golf and the Lincs lads, Leon Devito and Harry Curtis, were hanging on by their finger tips. In the end Ollie and Isaac prevailed to win their point by the narrow margin of 1up.
In the 3rd Match we had Riley Hammond and Ben Bailey playing together for the first time. Ben showed amazing team loyalty as he had been on holiday in Italy flying in to the UK late the night before the match. His flight was delayed and his parents drove him from Stansted to Belton, arriving at 1.30 a.m. on the day of the match.  Our lads started well holding the Lincs team but eventually they were outclassed and went down 6&5 to Josh Willey and Will Rudkin. This was Riley's first match for the U18s and the experience gained will help him going forward.
Final Foursomes saw Ryan Statham and Josh Bland take on Ollie Cunnington and Luke Edis. Ryan and Josh started strongly and were 2up early on, however back roared the Lincs pair and they were soon back level. This wasn't helped when Josh hit a perfect 3 wood to a long par 3 into the wind, only for the wind to stop as he swung the club and the ball cleared the green. Ryan and Josh then slowly gained control of the match and ran out comfortable 4&2 winners. This gave us a 2.5 - 1.5 lead heading into lunch. A very quick turnaround then took place with the singles being all important to our quest for a good start to the season. 

As usual Ollie was first out for Northants against George for Lincs. Early on Ollie looked to be in command of his match and set to continue his impressive U18s singles record. However with the match all square after about 15 holes, George managed to win a hole late on giving Ollie little chance to level the match. He tried valiantly but George ran out a 2&1 winner in a high quality match between 2 good players.
Match now level at 2.5 each.
Next out was Ollie Samler against the Lincs Captain and probably their best player, Dan. Ollie took a grip on the match early on and continued his good form from the morning and he ran out a 2&1 winner.
Following him we had Adam playing against Leon. Adam looked very accomplished in this match and he ran out a 3&2 winner. Another good performance.
At number 4 we had Isaac playing Harry. Isaac continued his form from the morning but try as he may he couldn't finish off a stubborn opponent who battled to stay in the match with several up and downs to halve holes that he appeared out of. This proved to be the crucial match with Ryan having earned an early bath with a large win. Isaac held his nerve and with all the players and officials around the green on 17, he eventually won the hole after his opponent 3 putted from nowhere. A well earned point meaning that Ollie Samler and Isaac had both finished with 2 points each.
Ben was next although he actually teed off first as his morning match finished early allowing him to have lunch. Ben played good golf in the afternoon and was unfortunate to see his opponent get a lucky break on 15 which saw him take the lead. Eventual score was 3&2 to Lincs Josh Willey. 
Ryan played against Will and he was always in command of his match running out a 7&6 winner to give him both points on the day. Well played Ryan. It appears that playing with the 1st and 2nd team players in the Winter series has helped him mature and start the season in good form.
Riley at number 7 fought all the way against Ollie Cunnington but a few errors late on in his match saw Ollie run out as a 3&2 winner.  A very encouraging debut for young Riley and he should be congratulated for his play and fighting spirit.
In the anchor match we had young Josh against Luke. Early on it looked as though Josh was taking control of the game but his opponent had other ideas and he capitalised on any small error made by Josh to win a few holes. He eventually ran out as a 3&2 winner. Well played Josh  You will play worse than this and win this season. 
Overall result meant that the afternoon singles ended 4 - 4 giving Northamptonshire a        6.5 - 5.5 win. 
A great start to the Midland League season and thanks to the players and their parents for their support for this fixture.