WILTSHIRE have won the English Boys’ County Championship for the first time in a thrilling finale at King’s Lynn Golf Club.

They were pushed all the way by Northamptonshire but Wiltshire found the answers when it counted and eventually won 6-3.

“I can’t praise the lads enough, they have been absolutely outstanding," said manager Ian Welding.

"I can’t single out one person, it’s a team effort and everyone played their part.

“This is absolutely fantastic and massive for the county.”

The match was intensely close all day. Only one foursomes was won outright – by Wiltshire – and the other two were halved. As the singles unfolded there was nothing to separate the teams as scores mostly swung between all square and one up, first favouring one county then the other.

The team’s top player, James Cooper, worked his way to a 2-1 win over Matthew Myers, while Jamie Amor, playing at the bottom of the order and secured an impressive 5&4 win.

The winning half-point was provided in grandstand style by Dom Burgess who won the 18th hole to square his match.

Afterwards Welding revealed that Burgess had suggested he be dropped for the final session because he didn’t think he was playing well enough.

“He was wavering, but I had no doubts at all because I know what he can do under pressure – and I was so pleased for him,” said the manager.

Final placings: 1, Wiltshire; 2, Northamptonshire; 3, Hampshire; 4, Durham.