With our annual match against the Academy in its usual venue and summer having arrived with the holidays all looked set for a good day at Cirencester until for one day the rain decided to visit
Unperturbed our mix of U14’s and county academy players looked raring to go for 18 holes of matchplay with a mix of handicaps and experience. The opening game saw Josh Rigby open proceedings with a fine tee shot past the fairway bunker guarding the centre of the fairway as the rain held off for a short spells. In between the showers the opening exchanges were fairly even with only the bottom match seeing Harry and Sonny take fair lead which then gave them the first point of the day on the 13th for the Academy. The tope matches remained tight with Josh holding on to the 18th before falling to Noah and Will whereas Ernie and Jack followed up some starring roles for the U16’s by beating local players Doug and Cody on 17. As the rain got heavier Alfie and Luis continued fine form and pulling one back for the U14’s against in form Will Rellie and local Theo Skinley and it looked as if Tommy and Oli and Patrick and Billy might be taking the short route back from 14 but some gutsy play through 13 and 14 took them on with a chance. Going for the green didn’t quite pay off on 16 seeing Fergus and Henry give the Academy a lead with one match to go. 16 Proved a better hole for Patrick and Billy taking them up 17 with a chance but a great approach from Jack Wiggins to 12 feet meant that he and Charlie Willcox prevailed and secured a win this year for the Academy
Despite the weather the spirit and way all the boys went about the matches with lots of chat and congratulations was great credit to them all whatever the result. Huge thanks to James and everyone at Cirencester for hosting us so well again and the great food after. Also a huge thanks to all the parents for not only getting the boys there but providing such great and much appreciated support
With the season now well under way focus will be on getting into many of the Jeff Hall comps for everyone and the end of season Jamboree at Brickhampton for the Academy players
Tom Gillespie Glos County Academy Head Coach / U14 Performance Squad Coach