NorthamptonshireGolf
Liam McNeela became County Men's Champion for the first time as he beat Northants County club-mates Luis Witherall and Michael Farr in a three-hole play-off at Northampton GC. The Scratch golfer, who tied for first place in the 36-hole event after he added a magnificent blemish-free 66 to an opening round of 73, parred the 16th and 17th holes in the play-off, before holing a five-footer for a winning birdie on the 18th hole.
Ellie Darnell lifted the County Ladies Championship trophy as she went one better than her runners-up finish last year by triumphing on her home course at Wellingborough GC. The teenager beat Rosie Youngman (Northampton) in the final.
Reigning champion Claire Lindsay (Northampton), who beat Darnell in the final 12 months ago, lifted the Ladies Swannell Salver with victory over club-mate Lorraine Gilder.
Charlie Salter (Northants County) and Ashleigh Critchley (Kettering) were crowned Boys and Girls County champions for 2018 respectively at Oundle GC. Salter, who won the County Men's crown the previous year, was imperious as he bagged five birdies in an opening 71, before carding three more birdies and an eagle two on the 12th hole in a second round 69 to finish seven ahead of the chasing pack.
It was a lot closer in the Girls competition as Critchley needed a play-off to beat defending champion Darnell after the duo tied for first place on 155.
Alan Wrigley (Northants County) and Carol Gibbs (Wellingborough) won the two Seniors Championships in 2018.