Report from Boys Under 18s Manager Gerald Duddy;
After the euphoria of winning the EG County qualifier last week, it was back to league action for the U18s and a firm and fast Verulam GC. Needing a win and at least a draw to keep the overall outcome in our own hands, we knew on arrival what we needed to do if we wanted to qualify for the league final later in the year.
Alas it wasn’t to be our afternoon as, despite a convincing 7-1 win against a young and spirited Middlesex team, we lost 5-3 to Essex, who like ourselves, were missing a number of their regular players. Debutant Alfie Akers had two wins, as did Will Lyons. Ben Sessions, Matthew Jones, River Gardiner, who was a last minute replacement for his brother Jaego, George Lancaster and another debutant Roberto Re all managed one win a piece against Middlesex, but lost to Essex. Nate Warren provided one win against Essex but lost to Middlesex.
Overall this meant that Hertfordshire, Essex and BB&O all tied in the league standings on 8 match points thanks to 4 match wins and 2 defeats in the round robin league format. League rules stipulate that in the event of a tie the league positions are decided on the number of individual game wins. Hertfordshire and Essex ended the season with 29½ game wins, but it will be BB&O who will enjoy home advantage for the league final at Harleyford GC in mid-September by virtue of finishing with 30½ game wins across the season.
