Norfolk’s rising stars were forced to settle for second best in their Anglian League Boys Final against Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Lions were up against it after ‘L&R’ swept the morning foursomes 4-0 at Boston Golf Club in Lincolnshire. But pride was restored with a defiant display in the eight singles ties.

Eaton golfer Quin Monaghan set the tone with a brilliant display in the top match against a very talented opponent.

Monaghan fell one behind to a brilliant birdie on 17 but hit back bravely on the last hole.

His opponent found himself in a tight spot off the tee before clipping a stunning 80-yard pitch to six inches to salvage a par.

Monaghan remained cool and duly rolled in a slick 12-foot birdie putt to rescue a deserved half at the end of a high-quality contest.

Similar heroics were provided by Norfolk’s youngest team member Leighton Young, who beat a much older golfer.

The Swaffham Golf Club member, 13, gamely went 1-up at the 17th – and, in front of a large gallery, closed out his win on the final green.

Team-mates Luis King and Tom Mathers also contributed full points before Luke Gilding secured a half by winning the last three holes of his match.

Gilding epitomised Norfolk’s battling spirit with birdies on 16 and 17, followed by a gutsy two-putt at the last.

The Lions’ whole-hearted efforts in the singles ensured heads were held high, despite the overall 4-8 defeat.

Norfolk County Golf Union development officer Sammy Martin said: “It’s disappointing to lose in the final – we felt we were capable of winning.

“But there were still a lot of positives to take from the day. After a sub-standard performance in the foursomes, the team really showed its mettle in the afternoon singles.

“If I had to single out one individual for a specific mention, it would be Leighton Young. He played with incredible skill and grit to close out a deserved victory.

“Also, over the course of the season, Toby Lewin and Luke Gilding have taken great steps forward. Their respective achievements, along with those of many other boys wearing the Norfolk shirt, confirm the talent coming through within the county and show that our progression pathway is working well.”

Anglian League Boys Final

Norfolk 4 Leicestershire & Rutland 8 (Played at Boston Golf Club)

Foursomes (Norfolk players named first)

Liam Caffyn and Toby Lewin lost 4&3 to Fynn Colley and Toby Osborne 

Arthur Loose and Leighton Young lost 1-down to Jack Farley and Max Storer

Luis King and Luke Gilding lost 1-down to Noah Williams and Tom Farley

Quin Monaghan and Tom Mathers lost 4&3 to Patrick Dempsey and Sam Leake

Singles

Monaghan A/S v Colley

Lewin lost 2-down v Osborne

Loose lost 5&4 v J Farley

Mathers won 3&2 v Williams

Young won 1-up v Storer

King won 4/3 v T Farley

Gilding A/S v Dempsey

Caffyn lost 3&2 v Leake