Warwickshire Golf
U16 Boys v Worcestershire 7th August 2022
The U16 Boys beat Worcestershire 10-5 at Stonebridge GC
WUGC MATCH REPORT
Team
Date
Venue
Opposition
U16
Sunday 7th August 2022
Home: STONEBRIDGE GC
WORCESTERSHIRE
Warwickshire Team Player
Club
Ryan Gavin (c)
COVENTRY
Josh Gardner
COVENTRY
Louis Taylor
LADBROOK PARK
Lennon O’Neill-Knibbs
HEARSALL
Spencer Tanner
COVENTRY
Alfie Mitchell
NUNEATON
Callum Lee
MOOR HALL
Ben Hopkins
HEARSALL
Alfie Smith
HEARSALL
Miles Pegg
STONEBRIDGE
On the back of an away win against Staffs last month, the U16 team had their first home match of the league season at a parched Stonebridge Golf Centre, where we hosted Worcestershire on the Blythe and Somers layouts.
The morning got off to an unexpected start, with Armaan Basra (Olton) not able to make it on the day. This meant that, being a man down, one of the morning foursomes matches had to be forfeited to our opponents, with Alfie Smith (Hearsall) able to step into the breach in time for the afternoon singles, coming up from the U14’s for the first time into U16’s competition.
Team Warwickshire also handed debuts to Spencer Tanner (Coventry) and Ben Hopkins (Hearsall), adding to the growing strength in depth of our squad.
With the sun beating down once again, Ryan led the team out with Josh as usual, and they delivered their customary point with a well-earned 5&4 victory. This was followed by wins for Louis and Lennon (3&1) and Callum and Ben (3&2). Spencer and Alfie M were unfortunately beaten in a close match (2&1), meaning that despite the forfeited point, the team finished the morning foursomes session with a narrow 3-2 lead.
A very brief lunch-stop later, and only after re-loading with several bottles of water each, the team went out for their singles in search of the 5 points from 10 needed to win the match outright.
We are so used to Ryan and Josh flying out of the blocks, that it was a shock to see them go 3 down and 2 down respectively, early in their matches. That said, they are both great competitors, and would fight to the end. Ryan clawed his way back to one down by the 17th and saw his opponent hole a 20-foot putt to maintain his lead down the last. Ryan went for broke, attempting to drive the green on the 18th to salvage the draw, but unfortunately it was in vain, and the match was lost 2 down. Josh made a terrific birdie on the par three 17th and headed up the last one up. The 18th was halved in birdie, and Josh had secured a 1 up win.
Louis survived a difficult first 8 holes, before clicking into gear and grinding out an impressive 4&2 win, closely followed by Lennon with a 2 up win which was secured on the last hole. Three singles points now gained, and the rest of team looked like getting the job done with points to spare.
Spencer was unfortunately never ahead in his match, fighting hard before losing 5&4 to some good golf from his opponent. And then came a barrage of Warwickshire-blue points, with Alfie M (5&4), Callum (3&2), and debutant Ben (5&3) all coming back with resounding wins. Miles’ match also ended early, as he raced to a 6&5 victory, having never looked like being in any danger of losing at his home club.
The sheer effort and desire to win was clear from Alfie S throughout his match. However, having been dropped in at short notice, and without the benefit of a morning round to survey the course, he was beaten 4&2 by his opponent. Huge thanks to Alfie and his Dad though, we massively appreciated your answering the county’s call!
The match was over, resulting in a 7-3 win for Team Warwickshire in the singles matches, and a 10-5 result overall.
Thanks go to Stonebridge GC, in particular the catering staff who produced food so good that the boys were jostling for anything going spare!
Boys’ golf ambassador, talisman, and ex-WUGC President Graham Barton was in attendance all day as usual, but wisely opted to join me in the buggy this time, rather than walking all day in unrelenting heat. Finally, and as always, many thanks to our proud and committed parents for letting these fine young golfers strut their stuff on the county stage.
Confirmation of results as per the attached match sheet:
Simon Taylor
Warks u16 Team Manager
CLICK HERE FOR MATCH SCORECARD
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