A TEENAGE golfer has made a sparkling international debut for England Schools.

Former Haydon Bridge High School pupil Alex Heppell lined up in the annual match against Wales, at Luffenham Heath Golf Club, at Rutland in Lincolnshire.

He partnered Jake Ball, of Lincolnshire, in the boys’ foursomes, and the scores were level after 17 holes. But Heppell and Ball held their nerve to secure a vital win at the 18th.

Heppell faced a tough match in the singles after he was drawn against Dan Bearcroft, the recent winner of the 2019 Welsh Boys’ Plate.

But in another matchplay contest which went right to the wire, the Haydon Bridge youngster tied the match on the final hole to remain undefeated.

His contribution was key to England’s overall 11.5 points to 6.5 points victory over Wales.

Heppell, who is moving on to Sterling University this month, has enjoyed an eye catching summer.

His outstanding golf saw the youngster called up to represent Northumberland Schools at the North of England Schools Championships at Denton Golf Club, Manchester.

In recent years, Haydon Bridge High School pupils have excelled in a wide range of sports, from golf to athletics, cross country running, and football.

Heppell’s success has come during the same summer that another of the district’s promising young golfers has excelled on the international stage.

Hexham’s Matty Lamb was called up to represent England men at the European Amateur Team Championship in Sweden, in July.

It came just weeks after he was runner-up at the prestigious St Andrews Links Trophy, at the renowned venue in Scotland.

Lamb, who narrowly lost out on the title to Jake Burnage, of Saunton in Devon, won the Hampshire Hog Open amateur title in April.

The 21-year-old was close to representing Great Britain and Ireland during last weekend’s Walker Cup, at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, at Hoylake, on Merseyside.

Lamb was not part of the 12-man team which lost by 15-and-a-half points to 10-and-a-half points to the United States.

But he was the only North-East player to make the last 16 golfers in contention for a place in the amateur version of the Ryder Cup, which dates back to 1922.