Cheshunt Salver – Essex Boys vs Herts Boys
THE HERTS BOYS U18/U16 TEAM PICTURED IN THE CLUBHOUSE AT NAZEING GC FOR THEIR CHESHUNT SALVER MATCH VS ESSEX
A combined U18/U16 Boys team took on a very strong Essex team at Nazeing GC on Thursday 6th April, eager to overturn our disappointing result last year at Mill Green. The weather forecast was not great but that did not adequately prepare us for the ‘four seasons in one day’ we actually faced throughout the day. The course was in good condition considering the volume of rain we have experienced since the end of February, and the greens in particular were a great credit to the course being both firm and very true surfaces to putt on!
The match is played over 6 Foursomes and 12 Singles matches with 6 U18 Boys and 6 U16 Boys on each team. The Foursomes featured excellent golf across all matches with the most impressive being played by Josh and Noah who only lost on the 18th green to opponents who were 6 under par with no dropped shots – what a way to play Foursomes. The only team to win in the morning were the impressive pairing of Harry and Finley who were ruthless in their match and a half was earnt by Antoni and Ben. Captain James had a difficult morning as he had to concede his match as his ‘partner’ did not turn up and he then proceeded to ‘stack it’ in the ditch behind the 5th green when trying to retrieve his ball. All in all this meant that the morning score was 4.5-1.5 to Essex.
The team was strengthened for the afternoon singles as Louie Bloxham of WGC was brought over to play by his mum after U16 Manager Gerald sent a message – thanks so much for that at the very last minute! He was able to keep his very impressive form from the Faldo series at the Melbourne Club earlier in the week and produced the play of the day on the 18th when he made a very impressive eagle 3 to win his match, much to the consternation of his opponent. This was the first of 9 of the 12 Singles matches to go to the 18th and indicative of the grit and fight shown by all of the boys playing! Josh and Ben also won their matches on the 18th and there were fighting halves from James, Castor, Finley and Antoni. Noah and Harry fought to the 18th and Patch, Harrison and Oscar all faced opponents playing well and who took advantage of any slips made. The weather as some of the matches finished was awful with thunder and lightning rolling in the distance, the light disappearing rapidly, ever increasing windspeeds and a very heavy hailstorm that made finishing the 18th a real feat.
These results all made the final score 11.5- 6.5 to Essex and they retained the Cheshunt Salver. Thanks go to our hosts Paul and David, the Essex U18 Management Team, Nazeing GC and of course the opposing team as all matches were played in a really good spirit and were a credit to all players. Here’s to reclaiming the trophy at Home in 2024.
Click here to view all the match results
