On the other hand Jonathan Bryan smashed straight 300 yards drives for tuppence and he played his first nine in -4 and it could have been even lower. James would finish with an 80 but much lower seemed to be on the cards for Jonathan.

Of our other three boys, Warwickshire Schools Champion Patrick Skakel played best, shooting a 75. Both will Smith and Jake Scott carded 78s leaving them needing sub 70 to qualify for the English Schools.

The early leader after 18 was Dean Hibbert of Derbyshire, another very good score (of 70) from a County who hasn?t featured much recently. Hibbert could have been a few shots back had Kirby's own Greg Eason not followed a pair of opening birdies with golf of a different caliber - and end up with a 76.

From just short of the 10th, Jonathan contrived to take a six. He bounced back immediately with a birdie and hit his tee shot at the 12th, a long par three, to just five feet. Three putts later and Jonathan was on a reverse run, heading back towards par (71), the score he would eventually post.

A bunch of players were on 72, including last year's Midland Boys Champion Gian Romano and Kieron Foster from Leicestershire.

The first three ball of Romano, Kerr and Eason was one to watch. James improved six shots to a 74, and turned in level par on a much more windy afternoon. Eason would post a 68, for 144 but Romano was going much lower and bar making a hash of the 18th, posted a 70 for 142. That left Jonathan needing a 70 for the win, or a 71 to tie but lose the Midland Boys on countback.

New found confidence was re-enforced with a phone call to coach Russell Heritage during his lunch. Conditions were much more difficult so turning, with nine to play, at +1 meant Jonathan would have to take advantage of the three par fives. He did that and birdied the 16th but it was two shots 'shy'.

Of our other players, Will Smith had a 74 and Jake Scott went one better, his 36 hole total of 151 ending up being our second best score. Patrick Skakel hardly knew what a par was as his five birdies was countered by even more bogies.

This all meant that only Jonathan will play in the English Schools and whilst we did take second in the Boys Team competition, we were well back from home county Leicestershire.

Our Girls had a 3rd Place from Ashley Crammond and like the Boys, were Runners-up in the Team competition

Good luck Jonathan!