The dangled carrot of a home County Finals in September proved a step just out of reach for the Cornwall Mens team yesterday in the SWCGA Amateur Championship at Weston-super-Mare GC.

Whilst the nominated six players for Cornwall did not perform badly the strength and depth of the host county Somerset's team saw them clinch the finals berth at Trevose in September this year.

In the 36 hole event Somerset's team, who had practiced regularly over the winter and early season period at Weston, recorded an aggregate total of 825 (-15) to win by a clear 19 shots from Gloucestershire on 844 (+4). Cornwall finished 3rd a further 9 shots behind on 853 (+13).

For Somerset the star was Will Poole whose rounds of 65 for a 10 under par total of 130 was the foundation to their win. His second round included a hole in one on the par 3 16th. Team mate Jamie Clare also had an ace at the par 3 11th where a further ace was claimed by another Somerset player Tom Plumb, albeit Plumb was not in the county's nominated six players. Somerset's 'worst' score was a 3 over par total of 143 and this in itself is another example of their domination of the qualifier.

For Cornwall the top overall score came from 19 year old Harry Hall (West Cornwall) with a 6 under par total of 134 (68 +66). Hall had arrived at Weston the evening before from the United States after representing Europe in the Palmer Cup against the USA. Unable to play a practice round his presence was a bonus for the nominated team of six and his performance underlined his growing stature. Hall finished in third place overall and in so doing retained the Youths Championship title he won last year at St Enodoc. Hall now embarks on a busy summer period back in England starting with next week's Amateur Championship at Royal St Georges and Princes.

The other 5 members of the nominated six included Rob MacGregor (Tehidy Park)who returned rounds of 69 and 68 for a 3 under par total of 137 and 8th spot overall. Joe Cruse (St Enodoc) shot a great morning round of 67 (-3) but fell away in the afternoon with a 75 for a +2 total of 142 and 34th spot.

Other Cornish scores:

37th - Tom Fox (China Fleet) 75 + 69 - 144 (+4)

39th - Josh Greenaway (Bowood Park) 73 + 71 - 144 

44th - Richard Jasper (Launceston) 69 + 75 - 144

49th - Jared Mortimore (Truro) 70 + 76 - 146

54th - Matt Richards (West Cornwall) 70 + 77 - 147

59th - Conor Wilson (Perranporth) 73 + 76 - 149

64th - Ryan Curtis (Bude & N Cornwall) 75 + 75 - 150

71st - Aaron Stephens (Newquay)

Full Scores

Scores County Finals Qualifier