The Bolton Golf Association suffered a crushing 18-0 defeat, the worst in their history, last Saturday when they were put to the sword by a strong Rest of Lancashire county side in their bi-annual friendly match at Chorley Golf Club.

Lancashire’s 12-man team featured six of their top county players together with a number of up and coming young guns and, when they took the morning foursomes 6-0 the overall result seemed inevitable.

Bolton took solace from some good performances including reigning Bolton champion, Liam Ball, who was matched against top Lancashire player Mark Young. Ball was four down, and, despite three wins, with two birdies and an eagle, in the closing holes, he was narrowly beaten by a one-hole margin.

Former Bolton champion, Steve Bryan, was 2-up against Ciaran Doherty at the turn but the young Lancashire star managed to recover and snatch a one-hole victory.

Meanwhile, Tom Cummings of Great Lever – who was making his debut for Bolton – put up a good show against Louis Tomlinson but an eagle on the 17th by the Lancashire junior put paid to Cummings’ chance of a half.

The BGA now look forward to hosting the Sheffield Union for their annual match on May 1 when they will be determined to retain the Shefton Trophy.