FOR the second consecutive year, the Hampshire County Sevens champions hail from Jersey, after Royal Jersey defeated firstly Southwick Park GC and then Liphook on finals day to emulate the feat from Les Mielles in 2023.
Dan Burchell confessed he was “still on cloud nine” after victory for his men placed them among the elite of county golf, becoming just the fourth club to win the prestigious title four times or more since its inception in 1966.
“Looking back at it all, we had to win seven matches in succession and six of those fixtures were away,” said the Royal Jersey captain. “That’s no mean feat and needed a full squad effort.
“We had a really good balance across the team. For young Aiden [Wilson] to win five of his six matches through the competition is some going.
“For someone who is still only 14 [recently], he showed brilliant fight and handled the occasion very well.
“These are players that might not play together very often, especially with a large age gap.
“But they really came together and made an effort in the build up, to play more as a group and they deserve a lot of credit for that.
“You could see that team spirit shine through on finals day and it played a key part of our overall success.
“I must add that it was not just the team selected for finals day.
“There were plenty of other players who were part of winning sides in the prior rounds and that’s what is so special.
“This is the most prestigious competition to win in Hampshire club golf and the fact we are mentioned among the most successful sides in the history of the event is something we are very proud of.
“Given the fact we are offshore, we perhaps don’t play these courses as much as other clubs, so going over to an unfamiliar environment and winning is far from easy.”
While Royal Jersey is steeped in history, laying claim to six-time Open Champion winner Harry Vardon – at the opposite end of the spectrum were semi-final opponents Southwick Park.
Founded nearly a century after the Island club, it was Southwick Park’s first taste of County Sevens finals day, and they were keen to take their dream run the distance.
Being a handicap competition, club’s must balance a mix of experience, with those who can capitalise on the shots at their disposal.
Philip Grehan got Royal Jersey off to a perfect start out first for the Islanders.
With 11 shots at his disposal, he battled past former Hampshire junior player Edward Welton 3&2.
Wilson was four wins from four in the event up to this point, but came up narrowly short, as another Welton, Harry, beat the youngster 2&1.
The sides traded blows in the early matches as Jason Byrne put another point on the board for Royal Jersey with a 3&2 win, before the mainland outfit squared the contest after four matches, as Paul Le Rougetel fell 2&1 to Charlie Collins.
With all to play for, the Royal Jersey tail stood firm as Mark Wanless, Chris Huelin and Mathew Hague all closed their matches out 2&1 to earn their club a spot in the final, against Liphook, who in turn had polished off Hockley by the same margin.
They say “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and Dan Burchell decided to stick with the exact order that had served him so well in the morning’s semi-final.
Grehan once again led from the front, and after finding himself four down through five, one would forgive the Islander for accepting his fate.
However, he would fight back admirably. Standing on the 14th tee at two down, he rattled off three holes in-a-row to take the lead over John Groombridge, who squared the match on the 17th, before Grehan completed his stunning comeback with victory on the final hole, courtesy of an eight-foot par putt.
Elsewhere, Jerseyman Le Rougetel had fallen 8&6 in match four to Hamish Rushin, while Byrne (4&3) and Huelin (7&5) enjoyed comprehensive wins to take Royal Jersey to the precipice of success.
However, Liphook were ahead in two of the remaining three matches on the course, with young Wilson the only Royal player with a lead.
From a three hole advantage, Trevor Finlay had won 15, 16 and 17 to square the match.
With the weight of the world on his young shoulders, Wilson put that disappointment firmly in the rear view to bury a ten-foot putt at the 18th hole and seal the overall win for Royal Jersey.
The junior sensation was just a three-year-old when the Islanders last tasted County Sevens success.
Liphook would claim the final two matches on the course as Bruce Mellstrom (2&1) and James Chapman (3&2) defeated Wanless and Hague respectively, but the job was done for the Caesarean side, who returned home as champions.
Royal Jersey: Philip Grehan, Aiden Wilson, Jason Byrne Paul Le Rougetel, Mark Wanless, Chris Huelin, Mathew Hague
Hampshire County SevensSemi-Final – Royal Jersey GC vs Southwick Park GC (RJ named first)
(3&2) Philip Grehan vs Edward WeltonAiden Wilson vs Harry Welton (2&1)(6&5) Jason Byrne vs Sam StreetPaul Le Rougetel vs Charlie Collins (2&1)(2&1) Mark Wanless vs David Funnell(2&1) Chris Huelin vs Marty Wallace(2&1) Mathew Hague vs Mark AllibonRoyal Jersey 5-2 Southwick Park
Final – Royal Jersey GC vs Liphook GC (RJ named first)
(1up) Philip Grehan vs John Groombridge(1up) Aiden Wilson vs Trevor Finlay(4&3) Jason Byrne vs Richard LushingtonPaul Le Rougetel vs Hamish Rushin (8&6)Mark Wanless vs Bruce Mellstrom (2&1)(7&5) Chris Huelin vs Chris PennMathew Hague vs James Chapman (3&2)Royal Jersey 4-3 Liphook
