BRINGING an outstanding junior golfing career to a fitting end, Hexham Golf Club member Matty Lamb led England to victory over their home nation rivals.

Ahead of leaving for a four-year golf scholarship at the University of North Carolina, America, on Thursday, the super talented 18-year-old captained the team to success in the Home Internationals over hosts Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

It was a third appearance in the competition and a second triumph following the win in Scotland two years ago.

Matty, who has competed in tournaments all over the world, also recently won the Nations Cup for England in the Carris Trophy, finishing fifth overall, as well as the Malcolm Reid Salver for the best aggregate score over two of the junior majors, the Carris Trophy and Peter McEvoy Trophy in which he finished fourth earlier in the season.

A few weeks ago he carded one of the lowest rounds of the week in the men’s English Amateur with a six under par 66 to qualify for the matchplay knockout stages, making the last 16 from a field of 280.

Matty bids a fond farewell on his junior career which saw him become the youngest winner of the Northumberland Men’s County Strokeplay Championships at 15, in the same year he won the Hexham Club Championship.

Other highlights include winning the Henry Cooper Junior Masters and the Scottish Boys title, with a runners-up spot in the English equivalent scoring highly too.

Now a plus four handicapper, he is hoping to build on his skills in America in his bid of becoming a tour professional in the future.

He said: “It’s been great fun playing for England, but I get as much pleasure from representing my local club Hexham, and try to play for the team and the county as much as possible.

“The support I’ve had from the club has been fantastic and I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support. In particular, I’d like to thank my coach, friend and mentor Andy Paisley who has become such an important part of my development and I can’t thank him enough.”

At Matty’s home club of Hexham, five handicapper Alex Buchanan impressed to win both the Cregan and Lambert trophies for best gross and nett scores respectively.

He carded a gross score of 152 gross, while his nett score of 142 was equal with Will Shrimpton but Alex edged it with a better second round.

Jamie Brown was third in both with 143 nett and 159 gross, just pipped to second in the latter by Freddie McKendrick.

The club’s juniors held their annual away day at Brampton, the new base of former Hexham pro Phil Waugh, with Joe Robson (73) with the best gross score. Owen Murthough had the best nett for an U18 player ahead of runner-up with Will Shrimpton, with Will Jenkins edging out Morgan Blythe in the U15 competition.