'They only discarded a 72,' was one comment from another County, 'We would have loved to have that score.'

It all added up to a 17 shot lead over Lincolnshire, with ever rivals Staffordshire 24 shots back.

Phil Wastell had provided a 71 in the morning and whilst he was struggling in the afternoon, he didn't need the interference of a competitors parent which left him fuming - and scoring a 79.

Chris Freeman struggled to the turn then held his game together and dropped two shots more for a 75. Both players did their very best under what are always very trying conditions - but the form of other teams was becoming a real concern.

Staffordshire haven't challenged for qualification recently but they have showed some real form in 2008 Midland Junior League matches with a big win against Shrops & Hereford. They posted an early 67, then a 70 so that 24 shot deficit was disappearing rapidly.

Michael McCormack was a 71 in the morning. he kept close to par for most of his afternoon round before shots started to slip away - the result a 75. Rob Bardsley had battled a poor start in his pm round and he nearly pulled out a grind of a round as he was +2 with two to play. Two bogies followed so that was a 73 - and Staffordshire had just added two 69s to their overall total so the lead was gone.

Kingsthorpe is very much Northants version of Coventry Hearsall and Tom Ibbertson has been turned into a very steady golfer by his home course. It showed.

Tom was +2 with three to go and he made a birdie at his 16th. He then had a double bogey at the next. The Ibbertson answer - to birdie his final hole for a 71.

It all hinged on Jamie Carney if we were to discard Phil Wastell's 79 and it needed to be 70 or less to take us back in front. Warwickshire need not have worried.

'I was nervous on the 1st tee in the morning,' said Jamie of a double bogey start in his 69, 'I knew I was the key in the afternoon - but I was swinging it well.

'I worked it out (how important his score would be) with all the attention - I had loads of lip-outs.'

What Jamie actually finished with was a 66 made up of three birdies and the rest pars - absolutely fabulous golf. Every team needs a hero (or two) in each match or championship where it gets a bit 'sticky'. This time it was Carney and Ibbertson but Rob Bardsley had the last word.

'That was a real team effort - we all paid our part.'

The reward - a finish to the Summer holidays with a trip to Devon and the beautiful (and very old) Westward Ho! for the English County Junior finals.

As it was Staffordshire were pipped into third place by Lincolnshire who grabbed second place with a second round team score of 349 to our 360 - that big lead was needed in the end!

Full scores plus more pictures will be posted very shortly.

A few extra pictures of this event have been added to

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