A day after celebrating his 17th birthday, Cornwall golfer Harry Hall won the point that ensured England were crowned Boys' Home Internationals champions for the third time in four years on a dramatic final day at Western Gailes Golf Club in Ayrshire.
England had won their opening two matches against Scotland and Wales and needed a result against defending champions Ireland, who like Scotland, still had an outside chance of winning if results had gone their way.
In the end, England turned things around in the final singles session to defeat Ireland by 8-7 to complete a set of three wins for the week.
But at one stage, eight of the singles matches were in Ireland's favour, which would have been enough to turn around the 3-2 deficit from the morning foursomes, but would also have been good enough to retain the title based on the highest number of individual points won.
However, that scenario never materialised as England rallied and when West Cornwall's debutant Hall won the last two holes to win by one hole against Cathal Butler, the match was secured.
In all Hall took three points out of five from the week.
Earlier this year he won the Welsh Youths Open Championships.
He was also represented England Golf in the Irish Boys' Open and the Sir Henry Cooper Junior Masters, finishing equal eighth in the latter.
"That was very, very tough, I don't want to have any more days like that on a golf course," said a relieved England captain Derek Hughes afterwards. "
Fair play to Ireland, they came out with a new team this week and put in a great effort. I am proud of the way my lads battled, especially when it didn't look good for a time, but the likes of Harry coming down the last and winning was crucial."
Truro's Sarah-Jane Boyd shot a superb final round 65 to finish third in the English Women's Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at Tangridge Golf Club in Surrey.
The England international had recorded 74s in all three of her opening rounds, but surged through the field with her six under par 65 to finish three over par for the 72 holes, seven behind the winner, Hayley Davis of Ferndown and just one behind runner-up Welsh international Becky Harries, who birdied two of the last four holes to finish the event on two over par.
