Four Norfolk youngsters went to the top of the class after they swept the honours at the South East of England Schools' Championship at Rookery Park. James Phillips of Thetford was the individual winner, grabbing the title by one shot.

Four Norfolk youngsters went to the top of the class after they swept the honours at the South East of England Schools' Championship at Rookery Park.

James Phillips of Thetford was the individual winner, grabbing the title by one shot.

He also joined with Kit Holmes (King's Lynn), Dean Parker (Costessey Park) and Chris Paton (Costessey Park) to snatch the team prize from Suffolk.

Phillips, Holmes and Parker have all qualified for the South East team for the national schools' championship at Walsall later this month. They won their places by finishing in the top 10 in the competition. Paton, who was 12th, is the second reserve.

“It was a fantastic result,” said David Horsburgh of the Norfolk Schools' Golf Association. “We are extremely pleased - to say the least.”

Phillips played superbly to win the individual event. The five-handicapper shot level par 72 and followed up with 77 for a one stroke win over scratch golfer Scott Brace of Stoke by Nayland. His brother, Liam Brace, who plays off plus-one was in third place.

In the team event Norfolk claimed the title on countback from Suffolk - and all four boys contributed to the win. The two teams were tied by the totals of their best three scores and the competition was decided by the results of the fourth player. Paton was five shots clear of his counterpart.

Norfolk results: 1st 149 James Phillips (Thetford) 72, 77, 5th 157 Kit Holmes (King' Lynn) 80, 77, 7th 158 Dean Parker (Costessey Park) 79, 79, 12th 162 Chris Paton (Costessey Park) 82, 80.

Norfolk schools' girls champion Emma Davies (Eaton) was sixth on countback in the girls' event. The seven handicapper scored 87, 81 against a par of 74.