Lyndsey HewisonThe Norfolk men made a superb start to their 2010 campaign when they crushed the RAF team 13�-1� at Swaffham. It was Jon Baker-Odlin's first match in charge as county captain - and it was exactly the start he wanted for his tenure.Lyndsey Hewison

The Norfolk men made a superb start to their 2010 campaign when they crushed the RAF team 13�-1� at Swaffham.

It was Jon Baker-Odlin's first match in charge as county captain - and it was exactly the start he wanted for his tenure. 'I am delighted and extremely proud of the team to be able to report such a convincing win,' he said.

'All the guys performed well against a very strong RAF team, whose highest handicapper played off two.'

Baker-Odlin's policy is to build for the future and to invest in youth. His team included five debutants and eight of the 11 players were in their teens, with another in his early 20s.

The newcomers grabbed the chance to shine. Aaron Bullock and Shaun Larkins polished their foursomes off in double-quick time, winning 8/6; Jamie Smith had an outstanding singles performance and dismissed his opponent 6/5. Kristian Coop won both his points while Matt Alden formed a successful foursomes partnership and lost his singles only on the 17th green.

There were also heroics from established team members. Tom Clements was one down with three to play and birdied each of the remaining holes to win 2/1. Matt Bacon was two down with two to play and birdied both 17 and 18 to secure a half.

'I was pleased with the true fighting spirit and the desire to win from these players which turned around their individual ties,' said Baker-Odlin.

He went on: 'We are building for the future and the guys not only performed well but are forming a great team spirit and a true desire and belief that we can win matches.

'The future is bright and with my current strategy, investing in the young players, Norfolk will meet all my realistic goals and targets. This will enable us to compete at the highest level and I am extremely optimistic.'

Baker-Odlin is targeting success in the Anglian League, the Eastern Counties Foursomes and the qualifier for the English counties championship.