The Cornwall Boys team finished in a disappointing fifth spot at this years South Western Counties Golf Association Boys Championship held yesterday at Salisbury & S Wilts GC.

Having qualified for the county finals in 2018 and taking what was considered to be a strong team again this year there were grounds for serious optimism but unfortunately these were not realised. Playing Dorset on Tuesday in a pre tournament friendly round the Cornwall team had emerged with a good win and a further practice round on Wednesday reinforced the view.

Team Manager Derek Law had to select 6 of his eight man team to be the counting scorers and from these the best 5 scores in the morning would be added to the best 5 afternoon scors in this 36 hole stroke play competition. Law chose the 6 and his selection of them was justified but unfortunately as a group they did not deliver to their known ability. There were some good individual performances but collectively the team finished on a total of 753, some 26 shots behind eventual winners Gloucestershire who tied with defending champions Devon but took the honours by virtue of a 6th card countback.

Leading the way for Cornwall was Junior County Captain Tom Stephens (Trevose) as he followed up a 1st round one over par 72 with a second round level par 71 to finish in 5th spot in the individual competition on a total of 143, 6 shots behind winner Josh Hill (Devon) on a 5 under total of 137, two shots ahead of Milan Reed (Glos) on 139.

The best morning round for Cornwall came from Ethan Tempest (West Cornwall) with a level par 71 and whilst his pm round of 76 will have disappointed him, he finished 12th overall. Tempest's clubmate Jack Kevern was next best with rounds of 76 and 73 to finish 15th overall - in what was a 48 man field.

The other scores for Cornwall were Josh Chapman (Tehidy Park) 77 + 79 (156 total) 32nd, Liam Wilson (Trevose) 81 + 79 (160) 36th, Ryan Gregory (St Mellion) 84 + 77 (161) 38th, Isaac D'Bue (Falmouth) 81 + 80 (161) 39th, and Alec Nile (Carlyon Bay) 80 + 82 (162) 41st.