Girls’ quartet delivers 22 points from 24 as Wales sweep past Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands
WALES Under-16s lifted the Quadrangular trophy for the first time in eight years after a commanding clean sweep against Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands at Cardigan Golf Club.
The mixed team, made up of six boys and four girls, won every match across the week – with the girls’ quartet proving the difference as Alicia Kelly, Morgan Bollan, Ffion Richardson and Rebecca Del Sol Gonzalez delivered a remarkable 22 points out of a possible 24.
Bollan and Del Sol Gonzalez were in unstoppable form, winning all six of their matches, while Richardson and Kelly each claimed five wins from six. A decisive final-day victory over Ireland saw Wales defeat their closest challengers and complete the perfect campaign.
Every player contributed at least one point during the tournament, with Ryan Miller also impressing after winning five of his six matches. Gethin Lewis and Dan Rowley produced key comebacks against Ireland to secure crucial points and help Wales over the line.
James Palfrey, Oliver Hulbert and Thomas MacLean also played their part in a successful week, with the performance reflecting the hard work put in during winter squad training.
The coaching team consisted of Gareth James as Team Coach, Jordan Ryan as Girls Captain and Coach, and Rhys Mooney as Boys Captain and Mindset Coach.
The result has also boosted hopes of all four Welsh girls gaining Junior Vagliano Trophy recognition this summer, with selection possible for the GB&I team that will face the Continent of Europe.
Jordan Ryan said: “They were fantastic, it was a great week to be fair. Every single player contributed at least a point, which doesn’t always happen in these team events with young players.
“All the girls have played in three or four of these and it was the last year for Alicia, Ffion and Rebecca, so it was nice for them to go out with a win.
“We said at the start that we had the team to do well if they all performed as they can, and we could not have asked for any more.”
He added: “For the girls, there were only two points they did not win, and those two matches could have gone either way as well, so it is a great start to the season.
“They worked really hard through the winter in the squad programmes and training weekends, and those performances should help their hopes for this summer, such as the Junior Vagliano.”
Wales secured the title with a 10-5 win over Ireland in the deciding match, after earlier victories over both Scotland and the Netherlands. Wales beat the Netherlands 10.5-4.5 and overcame Scotland 9-6.
Boys captain Rhys Mooney praised the team’s attitude and resilience, saying: “It was a fantastic win, we knew how strong the team was – especially with the experience of the girls – and there was no complacency.
“The preparation was fantastic under Gareth, and it was great to see the way we finished matches strongly.”
Mooney highlighted the tense final match against Ireland, adding: “We won the morning foursomes 3-2, then after nine holes of the singles six of the matches were all square and it looked a little ropey.
“Gethin and Dan were both down with two or three holes to play, but both turned it round to claim a point each and get us over the line.
“Then the girls came in strongly to finish it off. For Rebecca and Morgan to go six wins out of six takes some doing at any level of international golf.”
He continued: “The last time Wales won the Quad was eight years ago and hopefully now these players are ready to do well through the rest of this summer.”
Team Wales now turns its attention to a busy summer schedule of domestic competitions ahead of the European Championships and Home Internationals in July and August. The U16 squad will also be aiming for selection for the European Young Masters in June.
