U18S Win Their First League Match V S&H

U18s win their first league match v S&H

Under 18s v Shropshire and Herefordshire - Sunday 27th June 2021

MATCH REPORT

Cassius Blake won his match on the last hole to help to secure the team victory for the U18s at The Herefordshire GC.

It was a great overall team performance by the County U18s against S&H in this U18 Midland League match. The course was in excellent condition, with undulating fairways, tight tee shots, raised greens and blind shots to negotiate. This really tested all the lads and they had to work hard in the morning foursomes to talk with each other and make key decisions over every shot. Tom Lennon and Tom Blizzard (pictured) did this very well and managed to win their match on the last green. Cassius Blake and Philipp Krone also won on the the 18th and Worcestershire managed to take a 3 v 2 lead into lunch.

The singles matches all followed a similar pattern, with holes being won with accurate tee shots and good club selections. James Ilsley battled hard and secured an excellent halve in his top singles match whilst Philipp Krone, playing some superb sub par golf, won convincingly, 6 and 4. Team Captain, Louie Stott, and Alex Emms, making his U18 debut, both won their matches after playing some solid golf over the tricky closing holes before Tom Blizzard, who almost holed in one on the16th, finished off his match superbly with a 2 under par closing three holes.

Alex Emms (pictured) made his U18 County debut at The Herefordshire GC

The match was still in the balance and despite the great efforts of Mark Hewlett, Sam Rowbottom and Dan Wakeman, it was left to Cassius Blake to hold his nerve and play the last hole whilst both teams and supporters watched nervously from the sides. This he did extremely well, and with his one hole win, an 8 1/2 to 6 1/2 victory for Worcestershire was ensured.

Click here for the match scoresheet

Both team captains thanked the club Captain Brendan O'Brien, the greens staff, catering staff, visiting S&H President, Doug Parry and their Junior Organiser, Charles Sieveright in their closing speeches. Louie was also keen to thank the County Juniors Organisers and all the parents for their support in making these matches take place. The hospitality shown to everyone by the staff at the Herefordshire GC was first class and we will certainly look forward to any visit there again in the future.

This was a very good opening win for the U18 team in their Midland League season and they all look forward to their next match on 25th July against Warwickshire at Stonebridge GC.

The winning U18 Team v Shropshire & Herefordshire on Sunday 27th June 2021

Back row LtoR : Tom Lennon (Halesowen GC), Philipp Krone (Kings Norton) Louie Stott (Bewdley Pines, Captain), Dan Wakeman (Hagley) James Ilsley (Stourbridge), Tom Blizzard (Bromsgrove)

Front row LtoR : Mark Hewlett ( Gaudet Luce), Sam Rowbottom (Kings Norton) Cassius Blake (Kings Norton), Alex Emms (The Vale)

Report by Bill Thompson

County Junior Team Manager