Norfolk’s Chloe Tarbard came from five shots back on a damp final day at Shifnal and recorded an emphatic victory in the England U-16s.

Switzerland’s Axelle Martin looked in control at halfway but with 36 holes played yesterday, she had a day to forget, dropping out of contention on the back of a third-round 86.

The Royal Norwich player took full advantage, taking a lead into the final round thanks to a level-par 73 and then she extended her advantage to five with a closing 69 to secure her first national title. Worcestershire’s Maisie Whittall came through and grabbed second, two shots ahead of Woburn’s Roisin Scanlon, who represents Ireland.

“It means so much, I’ve been playing well recently, so to get the win feels great,” said the 15-year-old England international to England Golf.

“It’s exciting to see my game go in the right direction.

“The rain definitely changed the conditions of the course. The greens were quick, and I struggled with my putting during the first couple of rounds, but today was a lot better.

“I hit the fairways and the greens and holed some great putts. I holed two 30-footers in a row which boosted my confidence going into the back-nine.”

The birdies on ten and 11 took her into the lead and despite three bogeys in her final five holes in the third round, she led by three from Whittall and Scanlon.

The Norfolk ace then opened her final round with back-to-back birdies and further birdies on six, eight and nine left her well out in front. She then parred every hole on the back nine to rounds things off in clinical fashion.

In the U-14s, also played at the leafy Shropshire venue, Spain’s Adriana Garcia Terol won by three shots.

Heading into the final round, Terol held a six-shot advantage over Annabel Peaford (Walton Heath), Italy’s Anita Marrone and Ireland’s Hannah Lee-McNamara.

The high-flying Spaniard was determined not to let her lead slip as she maintained her presence at the top of the leaderboard through the front nine.

As the chasing pack made their way through 15 looking to pick up shots and pile the pressure on Terol, the Spanish golfer kept a level head and continued to keep clear blue water between herself and the rest.

An impressive birdie came on the par-five 16th, and despite back-to-back bogeys to close out her round, Terol was able to hold on with Switzerland’s Anahie Lohner Hutli grabbing second thanks to a closing 71 (-2).

Terol told England Golf: “I feel very excited. I’ve played very well these past three days and it’s awesome! It’s amazing that the first time I play in England, I win this championship and for me, it means a lot.”

Next year’s U-16s and U-14s championships will be contested at Tandridge Golf Club in Surrey.

Leading scores (par 73, Eng unless stated)

1) Chloe Tarbard (Royal Norwich) 75, 69, 73, 69, 286 (-6)

2) Maisie Whittall (Gaudet Luce) 75, 72, 73, 71, 291 (-1)

3) Roisin Scanlon (Ireland) 75, 69, 76, 73, 293 (+1)

4) Matilde Santilli (Foxhills) 73, 73, 75, 75, 296 (+4)

5) Saskia Owen (Wyke Green) 72, 73, 76, 76, 297 (+5)

6= Elizabeth Wilson (Norwood Park) 77, 76, 75, 70, 298 (+6)

6= Charlotte Naughton (Ponteland) 74, 76, 73, 75, 298 (+6)

8= Lana Sudan (Switzerland) 81, 73, 70, 75, 299 (+7)

8= Gio Raad (South Africa) 75, 75, 75, 74, 299 (+7)

8= Sadie Adams (Royal Birkdale) 76, 73, 75, 75, 299 (+7)

For full scores click here