Rob leads the Junior Order of Merit, was winner of the Boys Trials and has played with the highest level of consistency throughout 2004, having a hatfull of Junior Open wins as well as County Success.

'Rob was good, a few birdies but one or two mistakes which kept me in it. One up on 17 he had a 10ft putt to win the match. he missed that and then on 18, he three putted', said Ben.

'We halved the 1st extra hole then I got him on the 20th!'

That win put Ben up against Midland U16s Champion Chris Doughill in the Quarter finals. Doughill had beaten Mark Davies, Runner-up in the U21s 2&1. The other Semi-final was to be Neil Taylor (Rugby) against Duncan Elbury, also from Rugby.

That half of the draw had been dominated by Rugby Juniors and U21s. Taylor had beaten the Boys and U21s Champion Dale Marson by 3&2 in the Quarters, whilst Neil Taylor had overcome Andy Sullivan, fresh from reaching Round 3 of the British Boys, along with Ben Stafford.

'I should have beaten Chris Doughill a bit earlier - I made a mess of one hole and missed from 8ft for a birdie on the 16th' , added Ben.

Ben would face Neil Taylor in the Final, Taylor having won the battle of Rugby 3&1. Elbury is sure to figure in Warwickshire Championships for the foreseeable future as he progresses from this, his first year back playing serious golf having been a top Junior just 3 years ago.

Taylor could not match Stafford's very steady golf over the first nine, all pars and two birdies. Another birdie on 10 and four holes later, Stafford had retained his Championship. He had remembered to bring along the Championship Trophy for the presentations, having so nearly had to make a special journey the day before - what a two days!