Yorkshire make winning start as they look to retain English boys crown

Three members of the team – Rotherham duo Ben Schmidt and Charlie Daughtrey plus Doncaster’s Josh Berry – were successful in both the morning foursomes and the afternoon singles.

Newly-crowned Lee Westwood Trophy winner Schmidt and French Under-14 champion Berry teamed up to win their foursomes match 2&1.

They were all square through 15 holes, but then won both 16 and 17 to secure the full point.

Daughtrey and Abbeydale’s Jack Leversidge also triumphed 2&1 to give manager Phil Woodcock’s team a one-point advantage at lunch, Lindrick’s Callum Macfie and Hornsea’s Jack Maxey having only been bested by one hole.

In the afternoon Schmidt, recent runner-up in the McGregor Trophy – the English under-16 boys’ open championship – was in imperious form, winning 7&5.

Daughtrey was also impressive and, after he triumphed 5&3, Maxey fought back from an early deficit in the top match to win by two holes.

His win ensured overall victory, the margin of which Berry embellished in the anchor match.

Europe’s No 3 Under-14 boys player stepped in late on with Macfie unfortunately injured and trailed by two through three holes.

However, Berry – who only recently moved into his teens – showed both character and skill to turn his game around and his 2&1 victory meant that Yorkshire are joint top after they matched Lincolnshire’s 6-3 win over Cornwall.

Lincolnshire face Kent on day two while Yorkshire tackle Cornwall.