Smart Ed’s bold show

Dimambro showed all his experience at the ‘6-Man’ England Golf tournament, staged in Essex.

Norfolk propped up the table in the 11-county team event, but in the accompanying individuals competition Dimambro took 11th spot in a high-class field of 66.

The Thetford golfer coped well with fast, firm conditions and a tricky wind to shoot level par for 36 holes.

He opened up with a two-under-par 70 that included an eagle and three birdies. In sweltering second-round conditions, Dimambro admitted his energy supplies dipped but he never lacked for resilience.

He dropped only two strokes and ground out 16 pars, thanks to a string of good choices and a cool head under clear-blue skies.

Scott Wright fought tigerishly throughout the day, demonstrating an admirable pride in performance to close out on eight-over-par for the two rounds. One ‘impossible’ up-and-down to a short-side pin from the right of the ninth green had his playing partners purring in recognition.

With similar application, Sean Rafferty fought back from a difficult morning and gave it everything he’d got through the second round.

The Royal Norwich golfer can take plenty of encouragement from his closing holes in which he hit a series of piercing iron shots, combined with good touch on the greens.

The day will also have served as an important learning curve for Jonny Spinks and Quin Monaghan, both having their first crack at the exacting stroke play tournament, which was won by current England squad member Max Hopkins’ seven-under-par tally.

Norfolk team: Ed Dimambro (Thetford), Danny Loveday (Thetford), Quin Monaghan (Eaton), Sean Rafferty (Royal Norwich), Jonny Spinks (Swaffham), Scott Wright (Middleton Hall)