By Kent Gray
Josh Hill has a shot at capping his dream international debut by being part of an England three-peat at the Boys Home Internationals at Royal Dornoch in Scotland on Thursday.

The 14-year-old Dubai-born player has been rested for this morning’s fourballs as England face Ireland in the decisive match of the U-18 teams championship but will be third to last out for the defending champions in the afternoon’s pivotal singles.

Hill will face Elm Park player Charlie Denvir at 6.35pm (UAE time).

It comes after the Jumeirah Golf Estates +5 handicapper overcame the disappointment of his first international loss with foursomes team-mate Max Hopkins by thrashing Welshman Dylan Thomas 5&4 on Wedmesday. The point helped England beat Wales 11-4 while Ireland overpowered Scotland 10½- 4½ to set up today’s final.

After winning their match against Scotland on Tuesday, Hill and Hopkins fizzled against Welsh duo Sean David and Tom Peet, losing 2&1.

But the Englishman more than made up for it; Hopkins trounced David 7&6 while Hill responded to going one down to a Thomas’ birdie by rattling off five birdies in the next 12 holes before shaking hands with Thomas on the 14th green.

Hill’s father Russell was again on hand to witness the action.

“Today was a beautiful slog. Morning foursomes [were] hard. Josh and Max were sent out together again expecting to carry on the form from yesterday [against Scotland but] no sparks flew, nothing dropped and they just never found the magic today,” Hill Snr said.

“[The] afternoon was a different story, I think Josh was so annoyed from his morning outing he found a game for the afternoon. He won 5&4, never a bogie on the card and was 5 under. Tomorrow is against Ireland!”