U16s Junior Boys Friendly match v Lincolnshire and Leicestershire 

U16 Boys match report 8th March 2026

The under 16 boys kicked off their season with a triangular match against Leicestershire and Lincolnshire at Beadles Lake Golf Club. The day didn’t get off to the best of starts with a road closure and diversion for our team making their way to the course entrance. However with assistance from google maps after seeing the sights of East Goscote we  made it to the clubhouse for bacon rolls and the distribution of the new team kit. A big thank you to all those involved in sourcing the new shirts and tops, every team member grew several inches in stature as they donned the Northamptonshire Rose adorned Foot Joy jumpers.

After a good warm up on the range and putting green our team strode to the 1st tee to face their opponents in the morning foursomes to be played over 9 holes. Captain Isacc Wakefield & Sam Mayman in the top match had tough opposition from both Leicestershire & Lincolnshire and despite some fine play succumbed to a 3 & 2 defeat in both matches. Northamptonshire’s middle order steadied the ship with solid wins  to take us into the lead. Riley Hammod & Max Edwards got off to an explosive start 2 under for their first 6 holes and ran out easy winners  4 & 3 against Lincolnshire and 3 & 1 against Leicestershire. Match 3 proved to be a friendly good spirited match but  equally one sided affair with Olie Golby & Daniel Rees  convincing winners against Leicestershire 5 & 3 and 4 & 3 against Lincolnshire  with some very tidy golf. By this time news of a successful morning for Northamptonshire was filtering back down the course but Josh Bland & Harry Odell held their nerve despite being asked to hole out some of the shortest putts witnessed in county junior golf J Josh & Harry completed a 4&3 win over Lincolnshire before closing out their match with Leicestershire on the next hole to post a 3 & 2 victory. A very successful first morning sessions for the team with a 3 : 1 lead in both matches.

After taking refreshments our boys went back into battle with our old Anglian League foes, maybe it was the cheese sandwiches or a few to many chips but we didn’t start with the same energy as the morning. Our opponents sensing an opportunity upped their game including chip ins and holes in one! Captain Isacc battled hard in the top match and despite some very commendable shot making eventually succumbed to Leicestershire 3 & 2, It was a similar story in match two where Sam playing in a very tight match against both counties finally went down 2 & 1 and 4 & 3, on a different day with some putts dropping this result could have easily gone the other way. As with the morning foursomes the Northamptonshire middle order mounted a fight back lead by Riley Hammond in match 3, having lost the 15th to go down in both games he showed great resilience to roll in an 8ft putt for birdie on 16, wins on 17 & 18 as well turned the match on its head with 2 x 2up wins J In match 4 Max came up against some strong opposition but went down fighting  5 & 4 to Leicestershire and 4 & 3 to Lincolnshire, still a very successful county debut with a valuable point in the morning foursomes. With everything now really close it came down to the last four matches on the course, Olie Golby had already despatched Leicestershire with a thumping 7 & 6 win but couldn’t quite hang on in the Lincolnshire game being edged out 2dn on the 18th hole. In match 6 it was the same story with one point gained and one lost, Daniel Rees held his nerve to pick up a  much needed 2 & 1 win against Leicestershire. At this stage Northamptonshire had surrendered their two point advantage from the morning, against Leicestershire Harry Odell was edged out 1dn on the 18th in a very close match but with Josh already recording a 4 & 3 win in match 8 the equilibrium was restored with a 6 : 6 draw. In the final two matches against Lincolnshire Harry and Josh showed no mercy as they closed out their games 5 & 4 and 8 & 7 for Northamptonshire to record a 7 : 5  win.

After a well earned meal of hamburger and chips Captain Isaac thanked the organisers and fellow junior golfers for a great day and announced a Northamptonshire victory in the three way match with 13 pts, Leicestershire & Lincolnshire tied 2nd.

 Both Adam and myself are extremely proud of all of all the boys  for a great team performance playing excellent golf in the write spirit and as always thank you to all the parents, seeing the fairways lined  with spectators makes the day special for all the juniors on every team.

All the best

Nick Statham

U16 & U18 Team Manager