Norfolk lose out to local rivals
Norfolk’s two county men’s golf teams closed their respective Anglian League seasons with losses at the hands of Suffolk.
Norfolk’s first team went down 3.5-8.5 at Thetford Golf Club and the seconds were defeated 4.5-7.5 at Bungay and Waveney Valley Golf Club.
The key positive from the firsts was the performance of debutant Liam Caffyn.
The Norfolk Boys champion halved his morning foursomes match in partnership with Scott Sealey.
Caffyn, 16, fared even better in the singles as he secured a determined 2-up victory against a very experienced opponent.
Josh Chamberlain and George Morris also played some good golf in finishing up all square in their respective singles games.
Norfolk’s other point on the day came from Carl Green and Scott Wright, who gained a 1-up victory in the foursomes.
At Bungay and Waveney Valley, Norfolk fielded a talented but very inexperienced second team.
The side, which included two debutants among its five juniors, emerged with their heads held high.
Jake Hurren performed superbly on his second-team bow, winning his singles clash after securing a half alongside Matt Strudwick in their foursomes match.
Fellow teenager Henry Saddleton also claimed 1.5 points and Jake Gunby posted a win in his singles match.
Toby Lewin, 15, also showed a lot of promise in his first appearance for Norfolk’s second team.
Simon Clark said: “When Carl Green and I took on the role as joint managers of Norfolk County Golf Union’s men’s squad, we always felt this year would be challenging.
“But we have started to see plenty of green shoots, especially among the juniors who have been selected to play. They have all performed with an enormous amount of credit, not least on the last day of the season.
“Liam Caffyn did exceptionally well on his first-team debut – as did Jake Hurren in his first appearance for the seconds.
“Overall, Carl and I would like to thank all the players who represented the county during the 2026 Anglian League season.
“We feel there’s a lot to be positive about as we make our plans for the winter coaching sessions ahead of the 2027 season in which I expect us to make further progress.”
Anglian League result
Norfolk 1st team 3.5 Suffolk 8.5 (Played at Thetford Golf Club)
Foursomes (Norfolk players named first)
George Morris and Nic Sperrin lost 2&1 v Alfie Halil and George Fricker
Liam Caffyn and Scott Sealey a/s v Will Wright and Patrick Coffey
Josh Chamberlain and Sean Rafferty lost 1-down v Sam Renville and Connor Talbot
Carl Green and Scott Wright won 1-up v Russell Oakey and Dan Hedges
Singles
Rafferty lost 4&3 v Halil
Sperrin lost 7&6 v Fricker
Morris a/s v Coffey
Caffyn won 2-up
Sealey lost 6&5 v Renville
Green lost 1-down v Talbot
Chamberlain a/s v Oakey
Wright lost 2&1 v Hedges
Norfolk 2nd team 4.5 Suffolk 2nd team 7.5 (Played at Bungay and Waveney Valley Golf Club)
Foursomes (Norfolk players named first)
Warwick Calasse and Henry Saddleton won 1-up v Dominic Rudd and Harry Brinded
Jake Gunby and Toby Lewin lost 2&1 v Chris Bartrum and Dylan Cook
Robert Wilson and Luis King lost 1-down v Jimmy Price and Louis Sturman
Matt Strudwick and Jake Hurren a/s v Marc Duszynski and James Tyler
Singles
Calasse lost 2&1 v Bartrum
Saddleton a/s v Rudd
Lewin lost 3&1 v Brinded
Gunby won 2&1 v Tyler
King lost 1-down v Cook
Hurren won 2&1 v Sturman
Price won 3&2 v Wilson
Strudwick a/s v Duszynski
Photos (Rushmer PR)
