Boys Beat Durham to Become Northern County Boys League Champions
Our final match of the season was played at Houghton le Spring GC on a sunny, but very windy day. As we were leading the league a win or draw would confirm the Boys as Champions of the League, so they were very determined to perform well.
Alex and Tom were first out in the foursomes and were in control off their game from the start going 2Up by the turn. A couple of poor holes on twelve and thirteen pulled the game back to tied, but were soon back in front with a good three up the fourteenth and with a par to finish won 1Up.Presley and Jonty got off to a steady start, but then won four of the last five in the front nine to be 4Up and this continued with wins at three of the next four back nine holes to win 7&5. Ethan and Benjy struggled from the beginning and were 1Down after nine and there it remained with the Durham boys winning 2Up. Tai and Luke played well but could not hold on to their lead of 2Up on the front nine to go out tied. There was never more than one in it and the game went down the last to finish with it tied. Harry and Ewan were our last game, and they played well together yet again and won easily 5&3. Result at lunch 3.5 – 1.5.
Alex led the singles in the afternoon, where the wind was even stronger! He was 1Up after seven holes, but sadly lost the next two to be out 1Down and then Callum of Durham took control winning 4&3. Jonty was never Up in his game where the Durham boy, Jack played some good golf in the conditions, 1 under par to win 4&3. Tom was in fine form and led from the start and winning 3&1. Presley’s first nine was matched by his opponent apart from a couple of holes to go out tied. The back nine was different though where Presley played well to be 1 under par to take his game 4&3.Ethan had a battle on his hands going out 3Down to come back with three wins in four holes to level the game, then on seventeen, a hole which was not kind to him and his partner, Benjy in the morning, he parred to go 1Up and a further par at the last took the game 2Up, a great win! Tai was pretty much in control all the way round winning 3&2. Benjy after a poor morning turned it on in the afternoon to win 5&3 with a 1 over par round. Luke once again was in fine form taking his partner out at the twelfth 7&6, the old dog licence! Harry was up most of the way in his game and after seventeen was level but two good shots into wind down the 429 par four eighteenth to give him a par to win 1Up was excellent. Ewan was like Harry being up most of the way, but again needed a good par to finish the game off on the last 1Up.
Match over and a 11.5 – 3.5 win over Durham gave Team Yorkshire the Northern Counties League Trophy. This was a tremendous effort, not only today, but by all our team throughout the season giving us the victory which has eluded us since 2019. I am delighted naturally, the team spirit and level of golf played on some tough courses this year has been outstanding. It’s great to see us back on top after a long period away and a big thank you to the players, I am so proud of them as a team. A big thank you to all our coaches, especially Craig and Robbo who have attended the matches. Finally, I must thank Frank who is always of great assistance to me.
We are a team, Team Yorkshire and that’s why we are successful!
Philip Woodcock
