EVEN in defeat James Hamon was deservedly taking the plaudits at L’Ancresse last evening.

The 13-year-old had surprised many by making it to day three of the Island Championship, but in taking island star Danny Blondel to the 17th he showed the decent crowd just why he had made it that far.

And he came agonisingly close to taking it down the last too.

Both had made brilliant birdie threes at the 15th, the youngster having hit his approach to just 3ft and Blondel less than a pace further away, but Hamon went two down on the next having found thick rough just shy of the car park to the right with his drive.

Having taken an iron for safety off the 17th tee, Blondel was first to hit his approach and he found the right-hand edge of the green 15ft from the pin.

Hamon (pictured) anxiously urged his second to ‘go’ and it obeyed his command to clear the front bunker.