Boys v Shropshire & Herefordshire – Match Report
Team Selected:
Louis Taylor (Captain) – Ladbrook Park
Spencer Tanner – Coventry
Lennon O’Neill-Knibbs – Coventry Hearsall
Alfie Mitchell – Nuneaton
Callum Lee – Moor Hall
Edward Hayle – Rugby
Miles Pegg – Stonebridge
Charlie England – The Warwickshire
The league title was unfortunately beyond Team Warwickshire’s under 18’s team for this year, with Staffs having prevailed over Worcestershire earlier in the week to take the title. However, pride was at stake as the team travelled to the heights of Church Stretton GC to face our hosts Shropshire & Herefordshire in our final match of 2024.
Only one of our players had played the course before, and so the learning curve was as steep as the Church Stretton hills, with grey skies overhead and a significant wind blowing. Our Captain Louis remarked that these were some of the hardest scoring conditions they had ever faced, but as they say, it’s the same for everybody.
Despite the tricky course conditions, all four pairings were able to secure a point in their morning foursomes matches. Louis and Spencer with a 5&3 win, Lennon and Callum backing them up with a 5&4 result. A win followed for Alfie and Ed by 4&2, and special mention goes to a recalled Miles partnered by u18’s debutant Charlie, registering a hard-fought 1 up win to complete the morning scoring and give Team Warwickshire a 4-0 lunchtime lead for the second time this season.
Into the afternoon singles, Spencer led the team out and raced to a 2 up lead which he never relinquished, coming in with a 3&1 win. Louis took longer to establish dominance in his match, but again turned the tide with some patient play, and with a 4&3 win the result. The full match win was assured with Lennon’s halved match, but the team continued to press for points.
Alfie’s match ended on the 15th green with a 4&3 win, closely followed by Callum on the same green with a 5&3 win. Miles unfortunately couldn’t hold off his opponent, losing out 3&2 at the 16th.
Ed battled to the last, securing a further half point, leaving just Charlie on the course, 1 down with 3 to play. A win on the 16th was followed by a fantastic up and down at 17 to take a 1 up lead down the par 3 last. Having put his tee shot into the long grass left, Charlie escaped with a bogey. His opponent had troubles of his own however, eventually missing a 6ft putt for par. And so, the final point was secured, giving Team Warwickshire an impressive 10-2 away win to close out the season.
As I hand over the u18 reins to a new manager for next season, I just want to say a massive thanks to all of our players, county officials and parents for being such a pleasure to deal with over the last 6 years. I wish our great set of lads all the very best for their futures both on and off the course.
See match results sheet for the full score breakdown.
Simon Taylor
Warwickshire Boys Team Manager
