Braintree Golf Club's finest young golfers were beaten by West Essex Golf Club in the Essex Youth Shield final.

After winning seven successive matches to get to the final they were beaten at Woodford in the annual knockout event, which is organised by the Essex Golf Union.

Team manager David Yates, who thanked all the supporters as well as caddies, Jamie Read and Alex Gocking, expressed great pride in Braintree reaching the final for the first time in 23 years.

He also flagged up the possibility of Braintree winning the event next year, with four of the finalists still eligible.

The standard of golf was superb and played in good spirit in the final, which is played in an individual scratch matchplay format.

Braintree club captain Gareth Olney and president Buster Tutton led the support.

West Essex gained the first point but in-form Jonathan Day played excellent golf to gain a point for Braintree and level the match at 1-1.

However, West Essex with an average handicap of just 1.4, proved too strong, winning the next three matches and securing the win.