Marsh’s title defence over

Sagoo, who represented England at boys’ level and is now at university in California, was “ramped up” to be playing the titleholder and got off to a quick start. He had birdies on the first two holes and was five up through seven

“I’ve been playing well for a while, but today I holed some putts, which I haven’t been doing. It just came together,” said the 19-year-old from Ealing.

Marsh, the Halifax-born player attached to Huddersfield GC, reckoned his opponent was five-under for the match and remarked: “Pavan played really well.”

He took his defeat with dignity and said of his reign: “It’s been nice.”

There was better news for another Halifax-Huddersfield Union player, Jamie Bower.

The Meltham player was facing Harry Wall (West Cornwall) in the last 32 today after a 4 and 3 win over Seb Crookall-Nixon (Silloth on Solway).