Octangular International Challenge final see European heavyweights face off
Only the hosts stand in the way of England regaining their Costa Ballena Men’s Octangular International Challenge trophy tomorrow after the champions powered into the final this afternoon.
FORMAT: Team Matchplay (Group Qualifiers)
England’s six-man team face Spain on the back of thrashing Home Nations champions Ireland 7-2. The home country also go into the trophy decider riding the crest of wave. They demolished previously unbeaten Germany by the same scoreline to also top their group.
For England once again Jack Bigham led from the front. The British Boys champion has won all four of his ties and tomorrow will lead out in the singles having swapped places with Brabazon Trophy champion Sam Bairstow (Yorkshire).
The duo paired up in the foursomes this morning to lead out England and once again combined superbly to take down David Kitt and Jack McDonnell 3&2.
With Essex’s Arron Edwards-Hill and BB&O’s Olly Huggins also linking up well – they won 5&3 – England took a 2-1 lead into lunchtime.
Needing only 2.5 points to secure their spot in the showpiece, only lead-off-man Bairstow did not gain a full point as Jack Brooks (Lancashire), Jack Cope (Gloucestershire), Huggins, Bigham and Edwards-Hill all won impressily against a strong-looking Irish line-up.