Pyle & Kenfig 20 - 22 July: County Players Excel in Boys' Championship

Strokeplay

In conditions that make Pyle a true test of golf scoring was high, with the first round score averaging just over 80 Oliver Baker (Cardiff) and Craig Melding (Neath) both produced fine 73's to be just one shot off the lead. Conditions were as bad if not worse for the second round again both players produced solid rounds of 77 and 78. However Oliver was just pipped to the Strokeplay Championship on the better back 18 by Gareth Roberts' lowest-of-the-day round of 71. Should not a limited hole play-off be used to decide a Championship? Yes there is limited time but surely even sudden-death would be better?

The County had 7 qualifiers out of 16 for the main Championship matchplay, even with Rhys Pugh absent. With 4 (now 5) players from Gwent and only 2 representatives from North Wales surely the GUW should be asking the Sports Council as to whether the policy of allocating equal squad places to the South & North in the top junior squads is making the best use of resources. The performance of the Boys' team in Europe certainly suggests otherwise.

Matchplay

Both Oliver and Craig put their European experience to good use and progressed to the semi-finals. Unfortunately it was the same one. Both players played well with Craig having the upper hand until the 16th when Oliver took the lead and was two up after 17. A class approach shot was enough to ebsure Oliver's progress into the final

In the final Oliver overcame Owen Edwards who recently took up residence in Gwent having played most of his golf in Holland. A fine performance and congratulations to Oliver - Welsh Boys' Champion 2010 - he joins an illustrious line of Glamorgan Champions.

Plate

Ryan Thomas (Vale) had a superb run to take the Plate. Having just missed out on making the Championship proper by virtue of a second round 81 he proceded to victory in tthe Plate in none of the four matches was he taken beyond the 15th. Surely qa performance to catch the selectors' eyes!