Evans misses out (From Free Press Series)

Evans misses out

4:04pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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CRAIG Evans was unable to repeat his performance of the previous day as Wales yesterday failed to qualify for the top matchplay flight in the European Amateur Team Championship over Turin's Royal Park course.

Reinstated amateur Evans from West Mon had broken the par of this Robert Trent Jones course on Tuesday and Wales were in a reasonable position to make it into the Championship flight and bid for only their second crown.

But a poor start which saw Evans drop three strokes in the first two holes put him in immediate trouble from which he was not able to fully recover.

He did pick up strokes with birdies at both the 6th and 7th but he had his second six of the round at the 8th on his way to the turn in 37.

He came home also in 37 and said afterwards It was one of those days when things did not quite click.

"I was striking the ball pretty well but got into too much trouble and the putts were just not dropping," said Evans.

He was the first of the Welsh players in the clubhouse and captain Carl Rowe looked towards him to provide a strong platform.

Ben Westgate, runner-up in last year's Welsh Amateur Championship and Cornwall-based Rhys Enoch both matched the par of 72 while Walker Cup veteran Nigel Edwards was not at his best and finished with a 75.

New Welsh captain Rowe said: "Naturally it is disappointing not to make the first flight as all these guys are talented individuals."

Now Wales will have to try to pick up the pieces and the best they can finish is in 9th spot.

Scotland led the qualifiers into the top flight by five strokes from Sweden after Wallace Booth fired a brilliant 65.

Defending champions Ireland survived a nailbiting day to take their place in the top flight and England, for whom Bristol's Chris Wood shot a 65, are also still in contention.

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