Each match was between 6 players from each county - 3 foursomes and 6 singles. Winning a match would give 2 points to that County - a half would give 1 point each. Warwickshire took an early advantage against Gloucestershire 2 1/2 to 1/2. Despite losing at singles 1 & 2, Warwickshire had comfortable wins in all the remaining singles to take the match by overall by 6 1/2 to 2 1/2. In the other match, Lancashire were beaten 6 - 3 so Warwickshire went into Day 2 with a 1/2 point match score lead. They would play Gloucestershire the following day.

That match could not have started worse for Warwickshire. The lost all three foursomes and never really had a chance in any of the three games. At lunchtime, Dick Ferry (Warwickshire Junior Chairman) talked with his team. To have any chance the team agreed they would have to go for every shot. By mid round, Dick Ferry could see his Team up in every match, including the Warwickshire Boys Captain Rob Steele taking on David Porter, England Boys Captain. That game went to Warwickshire by 4/3 and Tom Webber and Ben Groutage won even more convincingly. Ben Kruze took on the Number One role and played his part with a 2&1 win. Oliver West could not stay in front and lost by 1 hole. When Jon Wetton halved against Shaun Justice, Warwickshire had a draw by winning the singles games 4 1/2 to 1 1/2.

The England Boys County Finals competition came down to one shot at Longcliffe Golf Club in Leicestershire. Three Counties were in contention at the beginning of the final day but when Hampshire and the Isle of Man went down 3-0 in the morning foursomes against Gloucestershire, their chances were disappearing. It would be between Lancashire, pre Championship favorites and Warwickshire. One singles match would settle the result - one shot would decide that match.

Day Three and the weather was more overcast with rain forecast for the afternoon. The equation was simple when the day started - A Warwickshire win by more points than a Gloucestershire win and Warwickshire would take the trophy. If Gloucester won and Warwickshire vs Lancashire was a halved match, then individual match scores would count (the point totals achieved). A Lancashire win and a loss by Gloucester would again go to match score countback. As it was, by 3pm, Warwickshire knew that a draw against Lancashire should be good enough and a win would definitely give them the County Finals Championship.

After nine holes only Tom Webber was 2 up. Warwickshire held 1 hole leads in four other games but the pressure was on our players to convert those leads into results. Ben Kruze briefly won holes back against his opponent but Lancashire took their first point just as Warwickshire won games 1 & 2. Tom Webber was level par in beating his opponent 4/3 and Rob Steele had to go to the 18th having been dormie 2 up. He made an assured 4 to leave Warwickshire needing just one more game. It would not come from Oliver West who struggled from the turn and lost 2/1. Ben Groutage could not find a fairway on the last nine holes and lost by the same score so Jon Wetton, one up on the 17th tee was Warwickshire s hope for the point they still needed.

Jon had been 2 up with 4 to play. He lost the 15th when he went in the Water but his swing kept functioning well and it was his opponent who had to scramble for a par and a half on the 16th. Wetton was just short of the front edge on the par 5 17th in two shots. His opponent was on in 3, pitching to 25ft. Jon played his chip to 8ft and watched as the Lancashire Junior went close but never threatened for a birdie. When Wetton missed (just) the game went to the short par 4 18th.

The Lancashire tee shot was good but Jon was 20 yards closer to the green, leaving him a chip and run to a pin set on a knoll in the back right if the green. His opposition had to pitch to the green and what was a tricky flag and left his ball just short of pin high 22ft from the cup. Watched by both teams, supporters and EGU officials, Wetton chipped his ball to 15 ft, an excellent shot in the conditions, having to be aware of a greenside bunker and not going past the flag. Lancashire had a birdie chance uphill but with lots of swing at the end of the putt. Only their holing and Warwickshire missing would give them the County Finals.

When the Lancashire putt toppled into the hole, some of the Lancashire team raised their hands knowing that they now had a chance. Wetton stood up to his putt ( I didn t think about him - I was just focused on my putt , said Jon after the match) he knew, having been told by a team mate what his game meant. The stroke was sure but the ball just missed and Lancashire were Champions.

Wetton had done nothing wrong in his last few holes and in swing technique Warwickshire were better than their opposition. It came down to one putt, one opportunity made from good play, but no Warwickshire player could have an excuse of individual responsibility. For all bar Wetton, this was the last Junior Championship they will play in. Oliver West and Ben Kruze are at College here in the UK whilst they continue to play County golf and on the Amateur Circuit - both have had outstanding individual success in the last two years of their Junior careers. Ben Groutage was playing his first round at Longcliffe, his home course when he starts at Loughborough University next month. Tom Webber is working to fund his Amateur Golf - he has a great swing which will surely earn him many honours. As for the Boys Captain, Rob Steele, he wants to try for a Golf Scholarship at the best US College, Oklahoma. All these golfers, plus the best of the younger juniors who gained valuable experience caddying at the County Finals are a tribute to the support of the Warwickshire Union and the service that Dick Ferry has given to Junior Golf in the County.

Next year Jon Wetton will be the old hand in the Warwickshire Junior Team. He will have his own personal opportunities, and for Warwickshire Juniors, just as did his Lancashire opponent. The same will happen for those graduating to Senior Level only (several already have played for Warwickshire Seniors during their Junior careers. All of this team are good enough to take their chances and to make even more opportunities through the quality of their golf. The 2001 County finals was one putt, and the result was why all golfers play the game, why they have to come back to see what will befall them in their next round whether it is for a friendly wager or one of top trophies in Amateur Golf. Warwickshire will be back!