Stamford stars win a thriller

WE’VE DONE IT . . . Stamford’s youngsters celebrate.

GOLF:

IT was first-time lucky for Stamford as they beat Manchester Hopwood in a tense final of the Williams BMW Junior Team Challenge at Lowes Park, Bury.

Stamford’s juniors, making their debut in a prestigious competition which attracted nearly 60 teams, battled through five knock-out rounds to reach the final.

And they swept into to a 3-0 lead before their opponents, whose seven players all boasted single-figure handicaps, hit back to level the scores.

The deciding match featured Hopwood’s England girls’ player Louisa Brunt, who took on rising Cheshire star James Kempster.

It was was nip and tuck until the 15th hole, when Louisa went into a one-hole lead.

James had chances to level for Stamford on holes 16 and 17, but missed vital putts.

But when Louisa found a water hazard with her tee shot on the 18th, it was down to sudden death.

And James held his nerve to reach the 19th green in a regulation two shots.

Louisa was just wide with her approach and chipped on for three, but she missed her putt to leave James with a tap-in for his par and a notable victory.