U14 Boys Win Against Derbyshire In A Very Close Match

U14 Boys win against Derbyshire in a very close Match.

The U14 Boys Team who beat Derbyshire 3-2 at Droitwich GC on Friday 26th July 2019.

Pictured (standing l-r) Roger Martin (Team Manager), Tom Griffiths, Tom Blizzard, Elliot Jones, James Humphries, James Ilsley, Tom Lennon, George Stephens & Jim Gray (County Vice President) (seated l-r) Hayden Sarfo, Mark Hewlett (Captain) & Harry Hawkesford.

On a warm sunny day at Droitwich GC, the Worcestershire U14 Boys Team welcomed the Derbyshire U14 Boys for the annual friendly match. The match is contested over 5 x 4BBB, with shots given at 90%.

All the boys thoroughly enjoyed the course, which was in superb condition, with the greens fast and true. At the half way stage it was clear that the overall match result would be close, with some matches in Worcestershire's favour, and some going Derbyshire's way, with the first match very close.

Team Captain, Mark Hewlett (Gaudet Luce) and his partner Tom Lennon (Halesowen) came up against an inspired Derbyshire pairing, as did our Bromsgrove pair of Tom Blizzard and Harry Hawkesford. With two matches down, we needed to win the other three, and thus we needed to win the 1st match out. The standard of golf in this match was incredible, and our pair of James Ilsley (Stourbridge) and James Humphries (Redditch) were 1 up going onto the 17th tee. The match was summed up by the last two holes, with James Ilsley finishing 3-2 (two birdies) to match the Derbyshire players 4 nett 3 on the 17th, and birdie 2 on the last, to win 1up. A great advertisement for Boys County Golf, and a shame that either pair had to lose.

The final two matches both went to Worcestershire, with the Droitwich boys Elliot Jones & Tom Griffiths (playing in his first County Match) holding their nerve to win 3&1, after the 16th was halved in birdie 3s, and Hayden Sarfo (Worcester G&CC) & George Stephens (The Vale) completing a 4&3 victory.

Overall a solid 3-2 win for Worcestershire.

Click here for the match score board.

The match finished with the traditional two course meal provided by the excellent Droitwich GC catering team. The boys really enjoyed their chicken and chips followed by brownie and ice cream. Worcestershire Team Captain, Mark Hewlett's speech was delivered like a professional after dinner speaker; he thanked the green staff for producing a course in excellent condition; the bar and catering staff for looking after everyone all day; and the organisers for arranging the match; and the Derbyshire players. He specifically mentioned Tom Griffiths, who was playing his first County Match, and also thanked "The Worcestershire Legend", Jim Gray, for supporting the team all day.

Finally, we should thank the Derbyshire officials and parents, many of who were out on the course supporting their players all day in the heat, despite facing a long drive home. We look forward to next year's match in Derbyshire.