Double loss at Grouville

AIMEE PONTE'S bid to become the youngest winner of a Channel Islands golf title will have to wait at least another year.

And on a disappointing day for the Sarnian contingent at Grouville yesterday, Andy Eggo was beaten 7 and 6 in the men's final by Gavin O'Neill.

With her putter not detecting the hole as much as it might, the sensational 13-year-old Guernsey champion was beaten 6 and 5 by Alex Mollin at the home of the Royal Jersey.

But the junior said she thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

It was no stroll in the park for the Jersey star, who led by three holes at lunch but might have only been two ahead had the youngster not missed a short putt on the 18th in the morning.

Ponte did get it back to two down three holes into the afternoon round, but Mollin steadily pulled clear and won the match on the 31st hole of the day.

Eggo, like Ponte also competing in his first CI final, had put his first shot of the day on the beach and was four down in the morning before trimming the deficit to one at lunch.

But in the afternoon O'Neill punished Eggo's mistakes and the end came with a half at the 12th.