TWO of Evesham Golf Club’s talented juniors reached the last 16 of the Worcestershire under 18s matchplay tournament.

Jake Payne and Ryan Cleary, who had qualified for the competition at a strokeplay event at Fulford Heath, took part in the knockout stage at Droitwich’s Gaudet Luce Golf Club, playing for the John Fraser Cup.

Cleary won his first match, but then went out to Kristian Allen from north Worcestershire in the quarter-final.

Allen then won through to the final where he came up against Payne.

After six holes, a number of birdies had put Allen three-up, but Payne fought back and won the match at the 18th.

An excellent result that augurs well for the Evesham pair for next season.

Both have progressed extremely well this year, with Payne’s handicap down to three and Cleary’s down to four — and both are capable of even better things.