Always the toughest match of the year as the winners of each side of the league meet to decide the outright winner in the league final. This year the final was hosted at the very good Rochester & Cobham GC. 11 of the 13 Surrey players had managed a practice round as a team on the Saturday and had prepared well for the Sunday.
The teams looked very evenly balanced on paper with Kents No 1 looking stronger than our lead player, however very similar lines up from 2-12 (on paper), however 4 of the Kent boys were also members of the club.
The Sunday weather offered a real challenge with the wind picking up and showers. Unfortunately the wind was strong enough to negate the use of umbrellas for everyone, as those that attempted it saw their trollies setting off down the fairways.
This was to be the last U14's match for 5 of the 13 and for myself as Manager. Early exchanges through 3 holes and then 9 holes had the matches evenly poised. Some great play, determination and wills to win saw some Surrey players battling to either hold on to a lead on stay ahead in a match.
Unfortunately the back 9 saw the tide swing in Kents favour, the two Surrey players who had not managed to attend the practice round were down and we were seeing a really tough battle at the back end ebb to Kent.
In the end with a dramatic 17th hole our dream to go unbeaten was extinguished and Kent ran out worthy winners.
I would like to add special mention to Aidan Millham who won at number 1 for Surrey and finished his last match in the U14's unbeaten for the U14's season, also to Freddie, Oscar and Dan for tremendous performances & determination and Stirling for what was nearly the fightback of the year. Well done to all the boys.
Not the send off or leaving party I was looking for.
Good luck to Marc Prince, Rob Surgey & the boys for next year.