Norfolk Boys golf team suffered a painful outcome at the BUT Trophy as they lost out on countback to Bedfordshire.

Norfolk played some superb golf in the morning foursomes to establish a lunchtime lead in the annual tri-county tournament, staged this year at The Millbrook Golf Club in Bedfordshire.

Prior to the singles, they led Leicestershire and Rutland by 1.5 points and the host county by three points.

Norfolk also set off on the front foot in the majority of the afternoon matches. 

Toby Lewin starred as he won both of his games to add to a two-point tally claimed alongside Jake Hurren in the foursomes.

Louie Raine tapped into a hot streak to record four birdies as he saw off his two opponents and Jake Gunby triumphed on the 18th green against Leicestershire after earlier winning his head-to-head with a Bedfordshire golfer.

But the tide began to turn in other encounters and eventually everything came down to the final match on the course featuring Norfolk’s Luis King.

He stood all square on the last tee where his Bedfordshire rival unleashed a booming drive to grab the ascendancy.

King’s second to the green came up short and he ended up losing the match 1-down, which left Norfolk and Bedfordshire locked on 14.5 points, comfortably clear of third-placed Leicestershire and Rutland.

But Bedfordshire took the BUT Trophy on countback by virtue of beating Norfolk 5-3 in the singles ties contested between the two counties.

Norfolk County Golf Union development officer Sammy Martin said: “We play to win, so it’s extremely disappointing to lose out as a result of countback.

“But as a start to the season, we can take away a series of positives. Every player secured at least one win and Toby Lewin must be commended for posting a very impressive four points from four matches.

“We know there are areas to improve – and we will.”

Norfolk Boys team: Theo Pudney (Sheringham), Jack Bennett (Royal Norwich), Louie Raine (Royal Norwich), Jake Hurren (Bawburgh), Jake Gunby (Dereham), Toby Lewin (Bawburgh), Luke Gilding (Royal Norwich), Luis King (Eaton).