Dorset County

Match report - Dorset u14’v Wiltshire u14’s

Crane Valley Golf Club - 1^st April 2013

After all the recent false starts and cancelations it was a very happy Dorset U14 team to be at a very cold and windy but thankfully dry Crane Valley to welcome Wiltshire for the first County match of the season. All the boys arrived keen and up for the challenge if a little nervous. During our training sessions David Cooper has spoken a lot about clear thinking and the value of a pre shot routine to help combat the nerves. Prior to the boys going out to battle David re-enforced this and some other key foursome match play essentials, look after your team mate, support and encourage each other and get the job done together.

The morning foursomes could not have gone better, first up were the ever dependable pairing of Adam Harris and Ben Small who were out of the blocks like Usain Bolt and duly recorded a 5&3 victory. Next up Sam Brooke paired with Oscar Perry who was making his County debut. Sam and Oscar enjoyed a tight match, played themselves into that comfortable position of being 1up with 1 to go and duly closed out the match on the last to win 1up. Two more debutantes next in Mark Rankin and Ben Dew. Mark got them underway on the first tee and they were never really troubled on their way to a 2&1 victory. Finally we had Thomas Kollberg and Kieran Stott, also both making their County debuts they calmly plotted their way round the course and delivered a very competent 2&1 win.

We went into half time to enjoy a very nice lunch with all the boys reflecting on a good morning’s work and that oh so precious first County point on their playing record. Following words of caution to not get complacent and understand that the job was only half done the boys were re-energised to engage with the opposition in the afternoon singles.

The opening match with Adam Harris against James Cooper had everything, tight to the turn Adam birdied three on the trot to go 4 up with 5 to play, James digs in and they stand on the 18th all square but the drama was still not over, two good drives leave both with 140yds to the pin, Adam finds the green with his second, James fires at the flag only to go out of bounds behind the green, James composes himself returns to re-play his second, a magnificent shot to finish 8 foot above the hole. Adam with two for the match lips the hole and ends up 2 foot away. James steps up and finds the hole for a superb bogey five. The home supporters hold their breath and are thrilled to see Adam’s ball disappear into the hole for a great 1up win. Following the drama of Adam’s contest the Ben Small verses Jamie Cooper match was a somewhat calmer affair and a typical Ben performance. Rarely troubled Ben duly brought home a 4&3 victory to add further to his very impressive County playing record. Sam Brooke enjoyed an up and down match with Ben Daymond, never a lot in it Sam made sure he was on top when the music stopped to win 1up. Oscar’s match against Freddie Titcombe was a carbon copy of Ben’s, never behind he ran out a 4&3 winner and also kept his composure to apply the rules at one point in a match played in good spirit. Mark Rankin had a tight match with Lewis Ward. Never up in the match and 2 down at one point Mark produced a text book tap in par four at the last to earn a half and end the day unbeaten. Ben Dew’s match with Harry Ballard had his dad running for cover on the eighteenth green. Ben four up around the turn, Harry wins five on the trot to go one up. Ben wins the sixteenth and they are square on the last, Ben rips the longest drive of the day down the fairway, finds the green with his second and sinks a two footer for par to earn a half following a great up and down from Harry. Thomas Kollberg’s match against Elliot Hawkins pitched our smallest against Wiltshire largest. Tom held on well but just ended up on the wrong side of a 3&2 win for Elliot. Thomas has turned a corner in his performances recently. He is demonstrating a more composed and consistent approach and I am sure he will enjoy a very good summer. Finally Kieran Stott took on Joshua Groblar. Always comfortable and never down Kieran delivered a commanding 6&5 win to go home with 2 points on his County playing record.

Thanks to Wiltshire for bringing a good team and both sets of players represented their Counties very well. Also many thanks to Mark Perry who recorded the day in pictures.

Following the golf both teams changed for dinner which was superb, Richard Ward the Wiltshire team manager remarked “that was the best post match dinner at a golf club I’ve had” so compliments and thanks to all at Crane Valley. Adam Harris stood up closed the day for Dorset and was followed by James Cooper for Wiltshire.

So all in all a very positive experience for all the Dorset boys, they had highs and lows during their matches which they all dealt with very well. Displayed some very clear thinking and the ability to grind out results and turn the tide when then needed to. Now we move on to Hampshire at Highcliffe Castle where they will need more of the same. Hampshire historically are a very strong side but based on what David and I witnessed at Crane Valley the boys should go into that match confident, a lot wiser and ready for the challenge.

Rob Harris.

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