Oxfordshire’s junior team was captained by Laura Watkins (Bicester) and her team members were Lauren Jupp (Studley Wood), Abi Laker (Burford), Gemma Clements (Studley Wood), Claire Reynolds (Chipping Norton), Flora McPhail (Frilford Heath), Nicole du Plessis (Frilford Heath). Anna Kirk (Chipping Norton) and Sophie Stone (Studley Wood) were reserves. The girls were a pleasure to be with showing tremendous team spirit and a credit to themselves, their parents and the county. (Katherine O’Connor had been selected originally but was unable to play because she had been chosen to represent Wales in the SAAB International Junior Championship and had been asked to rest.) The girls had a disappointing start to their campaign at Aldenham Golf Club meeting the strongest county, Hampshire, in their first match on Monday afternoon in wet and gusty conditions. Laura Watkins had a tight match against Katie Thompson but kept strong and won 2 Up. Abi Laker lost to Emma Powell 2 Up and Gemma Clements lost to Lauren Davis by the same margin. Claire Reynolds (Chipping Norton) had an encouraging 6/5 victory over Becky Scott. Flora McPhail and Nicole du Plessis both from Frilford lost their matches and Anna Kirk from Chipping Norton, making her debut at Junior County Week, also lost.

It wasn’t the start the team had hoped for, but it was the first time they had seen the course and they knew they were up against tough opposition in difficult conditions and were encouraged by the fact that all the games had been very close.

Match Result Hampshire 5 Oxfordshire 2

On Tuesday morning the weather was still wet and windy and the girls were playing Berkshire. Laura Watkins got the team off to a good start, securing a half against Frankie Robertson, Abi Laker, Claire Reynolds and Nicole du Plessis all had convincing wins and Flora McPhail and Anna Kirk halved their matches. Anna did really well as her opponent had a much lower handicap.

Match Result Berkshire 2½ Oxfordshire 4½

The weather on the final day, Wednesday had improved a little, it was dry but still cold and windy. Oxfordshire played against Buckinghamshire in the morning. Lauren Jupp had arrived on Tuesday night to bolster the team, having been taking part in the Faldo Series regional final. Lauren held on to win 1 up against Gemma Dryburgh and Laura had a convincing win against Emma Hargreaves. Gemma and Nicole halved their matches and Claire and Flora both had good wins.

Match result Buckinghamshire 2 Oxfordshire 5

Their best result came on Wednesday afternoon, playing a team from Hertfordshire which included some very young players. There were wins for Lauren, Abi, Claire, Flora and Nicole. Gemma fought back from being 3 down twice in her match to finish with a half.

Match result Hertfordshire 1½ Oxfordshire 5½.

These brilliant results earned the girls second place with 6 points. Hampshire were the overall winners with 8 points. Congratulations to all the girls, particularly to Claire Reynolds who won all her matches.

18 STABLEFORD FOURSOMES COMPETITION (Teams of 4 pairs, only 3 best scores to count) Sophie Stone stepped in to play in the stableford competition gaining valuable Junior County Match Week experience. Winners Buckinghamshire 105 points Berkshire - 102 points, Oxfordshire 98 points, Hertfordshire 97 points, Hampshire 91 points