Hampshire’s Neil Raymond helped England power into today’s final of the European Amateur Team Championships.
The Corhampton ace was part of the side that recorded a resounding 6-1 win over the Netherlands in the last four of the competition.
England will now face Scotland at Silkeborg Golf Club, in Denmark, for the prestigious trophy.
Raymond got his team off to a flying start, as he teamed up with British Amateur champion Garrick Porteous to win match number one by a single hole, against Rowin Caron and Michael Kraay.
England had cruised through the stroke play qualifying rounds earlier in the week, with Raymond their top performer.
The 27-year-old then continued his fine contribution by adding two points in the 5-2 quarter-final success over the host country.
He will again go out alongside Porteous in the opening foursomes match, against Scotland.
Raymond’s efforts this week make a call-up for September’s Walker Cup appear even more certain.
In the European Boys’ Team Championships, there was disappointment for England, and their Hampshire duo of Harry Ellis and Jack Singh-Brar, at the semi-final stage.
Their 5-2 defeat to Norway at Murcar Links, Scotland, saw them crash out at the last hurdle before the final.
Meon Valley’s Ellis and Brokenhurst Manor’s Singh-Brar had both gone out in the two morning foursomes matches, only for each of them to end up on the losing side.
Singh-Brar then won his singles match in the afternoon by two holes, but Ellis suffered a heavy 7&5 defeat, as England faltered.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here