LLOYD RIDES HIS LUCK TO LEAD CARRIS TROPHY BY TWO
 Every
golfer likes to cash in on his good fortune and Chris Lloyd,
(Picture © Tom Ward) did just that to open a two-shot
lead at the halfway mark of the English Boys Under 18 Championship
for the Carris Trophy at Saunton in Devon.
The 15 year old from Bristol returned a second 69 for a four
under par 138, two ahead of boy international Matt Haines
from Kent and three clear of overnight leader Adam Wills.
Lloyds’ luck was that he was a late starter, going out
when the morning rain had been blown away and replaced by
a strong breeze.
“We certainly got the luck of the draw,” said
the solidly built young man from the Kendleshire club. “You
have to take advantage of the conditions and I’m very
happy with my situation. My aim was to shoot the same score
as I did yesterday and I did just that. I didn’t do
a lot wrong and I holed a lot of putts.”
Lloyd, a member fo the England under 16 squad, had four birdies
in his 69 and only a bogey-four at the short 17th prevented
him from enjoying an even bigger lead. But having hit the
front he aims to stay there. “I’m always happy
to be at the front,” he added.
Haines, who added a 71 to his first round 69, was a morning
starter when the rain was driving in. But the 17 year old
from Chatham still managed to run in three birdies.
“In those conditions you just have to take one shot
at a time,” said the McEvoy Trophy winner. “The
rain came mostly when we were on the front nine and I was
three over par through ten holes. But I was three under over
the last eight so I’m really pleased to shoot 71. It
was tough at times but I don’t mind the bad weather
and I’m glad to have got my round back on track.”
Wills, who led after a first round 67, slipped back with
74 for 141 which wasn’t helped by a double bogey six
at the first hole. But the Cheshire lad struck back to stay
in contention, covering the back nine in level par.
He is joined on 141 by Northumberland’s Garrick Porteous,
who went round in a best-of-the-day 68 with six birdies, four
in a front nine of 33.
Porteous’ 68 was matched by Ben Collins for joint fifth
place on 144 alongside fellow Kent player Jonathan Bell, who
returned 71.
The cut came at eight over par 150 with 45 players surviving
for the final two rounds tomorrow. Among those who missed
out were Tom Lewis from Hertfordshire, winner of the Sir Henry
Cooper Junior Masters, on 151, and Lancashire Boys champion
Jack Brooks on 155.
England I emerged triumphant in the battle for the Nations
Cup. Represented by Haines, Andrew Johnston and Matthew Nixon,
they finished on 289, two ahead of England II with both Italian
teams on 301.
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