King Edward VII Academy pupil Albie Patterson landed the best victory of his career to date with a gritty success in the Norfolk Schools Boys Championship at Eaton Golf Club.

Patterson, 15, shot a fine two-over-par round of 72, the same score as Theo Pudney who studies at Sheringham Sixth Form.

Both teenagers went to the turn in 35 strokes before returning in 37 – but Patterson claimed the title on countback.

The tournament was decided by virtue of the King’s Lynn Golf Club member taking one stroke less than Pudney over the last six holes

Patterson, whose handicap index is 6.7, showed real skill and composure in the closing stages of the tournament.

In particular, at the challenging par-4 18th he chipped his third shot neatly to four feet before coolly knocking the ensuing putt into the middle of the cup.

Asked to rate the victory in the context of his blossoming golf career, Patterson said: “It’s probably my top – I’ve never won an event so special and so important. I’ve won local events at Lynn, but this is the biggest one so far definitely.

“This is a huge confidence boost for me. I just tried to play really sensible golf – not try and do anything too out of the blue – and it just worked out.”

Patterson and Pudney finished two clear of defending champion Liam Caffyn (Northgate High School). The trio and three others will head next to the South East Schools Championship at Bury St Edmunds Golf Club on May 28.

They will be joined by four Norfolk schoolgirls, headed by Wymondham High School sixth former Lilia Copeman.

Bawburgh Golf Club member Copeman took the Norfolk Schools Girls Championship title for a second successive year. She fired a seven-over round of 79 to win by five strokes from Annabel Blake.

Copeman, 18, said: “I left a few out there, but it was pretty decent. It’s a good start to the season, it’s set me up nicely. There’s positives to take.”