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Cornwall Golf Union

U18s Beaten at Yelverton

The Cornwall U18s at Yelverton
(L to R) Tiernan Wallwork, Joab Atkins, Heath Coombes, Harry Drewett (Capt), Tommy Miller,
Harry Willmott, Alex Dawson, Fred Kirkland, Jay Dingle and Kai Dingle

[Team Manager Dave Drewett reports]

Unlike all our previous Under 18 games this year where the weather has been pretty awful the U18's boys were blessed with absolutely glorious weather for their match against Devon boys in the Greenaway league.

Our first outing in the Roy Greenaway League against the local rivals was played not far from the border at the beautifully presented Yelverton golf club on Dartmoor.

The moorland course was unfamiliar to most of the boys but they all were exalting how good it was in the practice round on the Sunday before the match on Monday. The fast greens and tight gorse lined fairways would make for a stern test of their abilities. Work commitments, holidays and a last-minute injury meant a few late changes to the team before the game were necessary and as a consequence, I would need to include 4 debutants.

The Match would start as always with the morning foursomes at 9.30am. The temperature was already in the mid 20's when the first paring of Tommy Miller and Kai Dingle got us off against the opposition. Second off were Harry Drewett and Heath Coombes and their par was enough to win them the first hole and retain the honour for Cornwall. 3rd off were Tiernan Wallwork and Joab Atkins, a pairing that has delivered magnificently for an unbeaten 2 years for Cornwall and despite missing the green to the right got a half on No.1.  Next off the pairing of Fred Kirkland and Alex Dawson who were both playing their first competitive match for the Under 18's. Anchoring the Cornwall team were Harry Willmott and Jay Dingle who were also playing their first game at this level.

The early indicators for the boys were good, they were playing well, holing putts and the matches were evenly poised but after 9 holes the momentum shifted towards Devon and we found ourselves behind in all the games. Eventually we were to lose 4 of the 5 games and leave ourselves a considerable shortfall to make up in the afternoon singles. 3 straight birdies to finish ensured Drewett and Coombes did manage a half point for Cornwall.

Morning result Devon 4.5 - 0.5 Cornwall.

A quick turnaround and the boys were out for the afternoon singles knowing that a quick start would be needed to recoup our deficit.

Tommy leading the way fought hard to get a victory on the last as did Kai on 17, Heath and Joab ground out halves. But with Dingle, Drewett, Wallwork, Dawson and Willmott losing the victory would be Devon's. I was very pleased for Freddie Kirkland who holed a 10-footer on the last in front of both teams for a 1up victory.

Overall result Devon 10.5 - 4.5 Cornwall 4.5 Full Results

An improved afternoons performance which could easily have been better. The overall score is probably not as reflective of how close the match was in reality.

My thanks and congratulations go to my counterpart Mark Sangster and his very strong Devon team for a great game played in good spirits and Yelverton for hosting us.

Next up the boys play Somerset at Falmouth on Monday 5th August.


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