Golf: Defending champion beaten in first round
Defending NGU Singles Matchplay champion Lewis White (Northampton) is out of the 2009 tournament before reaching the first round proper after losing to Rushden's Dave Jones in the preliminary round.
Although White had to give his opponent 15 shots on his own course, the 2008 winner battled hard as he birdied the first and 10th holes and eagled the seventh.
But the plus-one handicapper was powerless to stop Jones winning several holes with net birdies as he sealed a place in the first round with a safe two-putt on the 14th.
White has a quick chance to put the disappointment behind him as he skippers a six-strong County under-18's team in the England Boys County Championships regional qualifier at Maxstoke Park GC on Thursday.
Michele Forgione (Brampton Heath), Tom Cowley (Northants County), Ollie Nightingale (Whittlebury Park), Daniel Ashcroft (Kettering) and Ryan Rowe (Peterborough Milton) are the other team members.
All six youngsters are expected to be among the leading contenders for the Northamptonshire Boys Championship title a couple of days earlier at Peterborough Milton GC.
In the 49th running of the annual event, the lads are hoping to add their name to a list of previous winners that includes European PGA Tour pro Gary Boyd and reigning county champion Stuart Ashwood.
Collingtree Park's Jonny Stevens is unable to defend his title since he's now too old.
Brabazon Trophy
John Chamberlain (Cold Ashby) and Ryan Evans (Wellingborough) were unable to transfer their early-season form into the Brabazon Trophy tournament at Moortown, Leeds last weekend.
After making a great start to the midlands season, both men did well in qualification as Chamberlain finished second on Thursday with a two-under-par 69, while Evans was joint-15th a day earlier.
With heavy overnight rain leading to the opening round being cancelled, Evans struggled in the damp on the Saturday as he missed the cut with a disappointing 85.
Chamberlain, who won the recent MGU Whittingham Trophy, carded 74 to make the last day but a third round 79 ended his title aspirations.
Irishman Niall Kearney won the event on five-under 208.
Faldo Series
Kingsthorpe'S Gavin Hitchcock is hoping to find his best form next week when he competes in a UK Championship qualifying event for the Faldo Series at West Lancs GC.
With the winner going through to play in the Grand Final in Brazil later this year, fellow county junior Daniel Ashcroft (Kettering) will also be in qualifying action in the coming weeks.
In the ladies section, Stefanie Duffy (Kingsthorpe), Charley Hull (Kettering), Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) and Maisey Turner (Peterborough Milton) are playing over the summer.
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Weather for Northampton
Thursday 09 February 2012
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