NORTHAMPTONSHIRE JUNIOR TEAMS REPORT 2009

A mixture of pride and frustration sums up the season for the Under 18 League side.  Winning the league in 2008 was a deserved reward for that team.  Only Junior Captain Lewis White remained from that team so not much was expected in 2009.  The fact was the new team nearly and perhaps should have won the league.  If we weren’t the best team on paper we certainly had the best team spirit. 

Lewis was an excellent Captain having served under 3 previous skippers (Stuart Ashwood, Andrew Myers and Jamie Powell).  He was his own man but I’m sure he had learnt some things from his predecessors.  He led from the front in much the same way Adam Myers did by going out Number One in the singles and winning a point.  You can’t get better than 4 out of 4.  This was a great achievement considering in previous years he has often been the anchor man in Foursomes and Singles and took some excellent scalps in the process. 

Our defeat against our bogey team Cambridgeshire ultimately cost us the title.  The chaos created by the “Golf Mad” Chinese Golf Society at Collingtree Park in July was crucial.  A six hour round and having to play singles matches in Fourballs is not conducive to having your mind solely on playing to win.  It’s the same for both teams I hear you say but with one win against Nott’s under their belt already Cambridgeshire seemed to be less affected by the situation than the Northants lads. Cambridgeshire deserved their victory and we were poor. 

Just like a Football team that lose a match they should have won with a poor performance the manager looks for a response.  Whether Lewis had a private word with his team or they just didn’t want me throwing teacups at them in the half time break, as well as my famous hairdryer treatment, I don’t know.  Whatever the cause the team performed superbly against a full strength Lincolnshire team.  The watching President Mick Reed enjoyed that one as the final Putt from Ryan Rowe dropped in for an 8-7 win. 

Leicestershire were next and even though they fielded an under strength team were brushed aside with no mercy 12-3. 

The team spirit the lads showed against Nott’s gave me great pleasure and made me think we can win the league in 2010 with that determination and grit.  To come back from 4-1 down at lunch and winning the last 4 Singles matches was a truly brilliant performance and this without regulars Harry Woan and Ryan Rowe, who were unavailable for this fixture. Another Runners up spot (four out of five seasons now) is scant reward for this great bunch of lads but I know they will be up for another crack next season. 

I must commend all players who played in the U18 league games. 

LEWIS WHITE – CAPTAIN (Northampton GC) probably was around 10 under par for his 4 matches and won 4 out of 4. What more can I say but we will miss Lewis next season.

MICHELE FORGIONE (Brampton Heath) A great team player and tough opponent. Gave very little away and will have benefited from the experience of playing a lot of matches high up the order.

BEN URSELL (Staverton Park) A poor season by his standards and he will be annoyed at his defeats because he was in winning positions in most of them.  Ben is one of the straightest players I have seen and I’m sure he will be back in 2010.

HARRY WOAN (Overstone Park) The frightening thing about Harry is how much improvement he still has to make in so many areas. A fantastic Foursomes and Singles record against players 3 to 4 years older than him marked a great season.  Thoroughly deserved his call up for the preliminary England U16 squad training sessions. I can’t wait for him to win his first cap.

MICHAEL CAMPBELL (Kettering) has a great presence in the team created not only by his size but his manner.  He is calm but fiercely determined on the golf course. Considering he wasn’t an automatic choice at the start of the season but took his chances. You can’t leave a player out who earns you 4 out of 4 singles wins.

DANIEL ASHCROFT (Kettering) A class player who sometimes tries hard to prove himself. He has nothing to prove other than to go out and enjoy himself whilst focusing on getting round the golf course in low numbers. If he does that he will beat most opponents.

MILES MUDGE (Staverton Park) Probably the most improved player of 2009. Starting to look a class player and tough opponent to beat with a good all round game and no obvious weaknesses.  Now moving up the singles order.

JOSH SCIMECA (Peterborough Milton) Although not a regular in the team Josh is the type of player you can always rely on to give his all, this attitude gained some valuable points for the team this season.  Maybe he is a bit hard on himself but once his game develops finesse for the short game he will be a superb player.

RYAN ROWE (Peterborough Milton) a quiet year for Ryan but then again Ryan is quiet. He quietly goes about his business and usually wins. I think growth spurts have affected his game more than most but once he gets his swing technique adjusted and reliable he might end up the most consistent player in the County.  A valuable asset to the middle order of the team this season.

JAMIE ASHCROFT (Kettering) The discovery of the team for 2009. Another player that took his chances and did the team proud. A powerful player with excellent matchplay ability. Moves out of Under 18 next season but hope he can improve and push for a 2^nd team place. A good team player.

JAKE CROXFORD (Kingsthorpe) A good foursome’s player but needs a few more singles wins to gain confidence from. A powerful player with probably the best short game in the whole team.

JOSH MORRIS (Staverton Park) A great season for Josh and is not far behind Harry so he must be knocking on the door of the England U16 squad if he keeps improving. At only 14 is another great long term prospect for the County.

MATTHEW CURTIS (Staverton Park) came in as a late replacement and impressed with his determined attitude and will to win. A little more consistency and Matthew will be a regular in the team.

NICK HERRIDGE (Brampton Heath) A good steady performer who was a perfect Foursomes partner for anyone and was unlucky to find a lot of his opponents bringing their “A” game to his matches this season.

OLIVER NIGHTINGALE (Whittlebury Park) Another great team player with still another season to go. Slightly off form this year but was understandably distracted by his career. A good team member and former U16 captain who I’m sure will return. 

It is pleasing that the structure of the team is still intact for next season. The U16 team gained some valuable experience this season against Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire. Especially as many were U14 or previously untried players. The U14 team also gained good experience in their matches and it’s encouraging to think this team will be together for four more seasons. 

We again under performed in the Triangular Anglian League match V Leics and Lincs and the 6 man team was disappointing. However it was a young team where 4 of the 6 are available for 2010.  It is also pleasing that several clubs are providing players for the teams. They are all keen to play and all the players have represented the County with great credit to their home clubs and parents.  I must thank all parents, friends and other relations, as well as, the County Officials who have all helped with transport. Their support for the boys at all the venues was fantastic.

Brian Mudge

County Junior Team Manager

ALL MATCHES RECORD 2009 (In Top Points Scoring Order) (inc Friendlies)

FOURSOMES MATCHES 2009(As Highest % Points to Matches Order)

(inc Friendlies) 

SINGLES MATCHES 2009 (As Highest % Points to Matches Order)

(inc Friendlies)

 BRIAN MUDGE FPGA PROFESSIONAL