Report from Boys Under 18 Manager Gerald Duddy;Â
Following on from their impressive wins in the first round of league matches, the U18 Boys were back in action at Woolston Manor in Essex for the second round of matches. This time the opponents were to be hosts Essex and Middlesex. Â With quite a number of players not available for selection, it was a young and relatively inexperienced team who travelled to the venue near Chigwell, only 3 of the previous team of 8 who had played at Hadley Wood were available and we had 3 players making their debut at either u18 or even county level. As usual the matches between the 3 competing counties were played in great spirit and despite our inexperience Hertfordshire came away with another two wins although it was much closer than the previous outing.
I match 1, Oliver Ockelford, fresh off his Club Championship victory the previous day, keep his great form up and had an 8&7 win over Middlesex and a 7&6 win over Essex. It was a good day for the juniors of Porters Park GC who had 3 representatives in the team with River Gardiner, Jaego Gardiner and debutant Alex Smith, who was drafted in on Saturday afternoon, all recorded 2 wins each. In match 2, River dispatched both opponents by a margin of 6&4, Jaego beat his opponent from Middlesex 5&4 and had a walkover when his opponent from Essex called in sick in the morning. Alex had a 4&3 win against Essex and a 3&2 win against a dogged opponent from Middlesex. All the while in Match 3, Freddie Buck of recorded two wins against Essex and Middlesex by scores of 2up and 5&4 respectively.
In match 4, Coby Arazi lost to Essex but fought valiantly and secured a half against his opponent from Middlesex having been behind for most of the match. Turnaround of the day was Leo Holmes of Brookmans Park who found himself on the 11th tee 6 down to his opponent from Middlesex. Undeterred he stepped on to the 18th tee all square and when his opponent found the pond off the tee he then went on to snatch a win with a secure par. George Lancaster found the going a little difficult and despite some encouraging signs he lost both matches.
All in all a great day and this puts the team top of the league table with 8 match points and sets up a final day decider at The Springs GC on August 2nd with BB&O to see who goes forward to the league final in September.
