Yelverton Golf Club

West Devon Junior Golf League Match
Friday 23rd July 2010

Staddon Heights' Juniors 2.5 v Yelverton Juniors 2.5

As the Group Stage of this year's West Devon Junior Golf League draws to a conclusion, Yelverton's Juniors travelled to Staddon Heights in buoyant mood following their recent victory away at Thurlestone. The mood was soon about to be dampened however when they learnt that their hosts for the day had stormed to the top of Group B with impressive victories of their own that saw them boast a 100% record this season from the 4 games played to date.

In effect, the two remaining games to be battled out by these old adversaries (Home & Away) would dictate who would emerge from Group B as Winners although as play got underway it was Staddon that were now in the box seat with 22.5 points compared to Yelverton's 19 points. Either way it would now appear that each team's primary goal of qualification for Finals Day at Stover (16th August 2010) had now been secured.

As the game unfolded, it soon became clear that several of the matches, on paper at least, had a very one sided look to them although in terms of the overall match at the 10th tee it was Yelverton that held a narrow 3-2 advantage. First to secure a point on the day was the relatively inexperienced Yelverton Foursomes pairing of Iain Couper & Rob Lilley who stormed to an impressive 8&7 victory over Staddon brothers, James & Ryan Bailey. Yelverton's advantage on the score sheet didn't last long, as Harry Trump completed an excellent 6&5 victory over, recent Club Handicap Champion, Dan Rosevear.

Staddon then took the lead when Alex Ward completed a solid 5&3 victory against Henry Chamberlain although almost simultaneously Yelverton Junior's Vice Captain, Josh Reeday hit back closing out a 4&3 victory over Eddie Shannon to send the tie level again at 2 games each. At this stage, everyone's attention turned towards match 4 between Yelverton's Kieran Alder (unbeaten so far in his League Career) and Staddon's Adam Symons, which had reached the 14th tee all square.

As the photograph shows below, all eyes were firmly focused on the game and it was great to see all participants from each team fully supporting their respective team-mates. (Pictured is Adam-far left, seeking to hole his Par Putt on the 17th green whilst Kieran- 2nd left watches over his tenacious opponent).

Having been 2 down at the turn, Adam had fought back to level by the 14th tee, Kieran regained his lead with a net Par at the 14th, Adam then took the 15th only to see Kieran regain his advantage on the 16th and with both players bogeying the tricky 17th it was Kieran who had the advantage stood on the 18th tee. Alas victory was not to be his, although his impressive unbeaten run still remains despite Adam fighting back for what could prove to be a crucial half point for the current league leaders, Staddon (25pts) v Yelverton's (21.5pts)

All eyes now turn to the reverse fixture, which completes the League's Group programme and will determine which of these two teams emerge as Group winners. Staddon go into the game knowing that even a 3-2 defeat would be good enough for them to take the title, although anything short of this would then see Yelverton emerge victorious. One thing is certain, the game at Yelverton next Sunday (1st August -14:00 1st tee off) will be played in excellent spirit and will no doubt once again be a tense affair!