Burnett topples Law as England provided six

of eight quarter-finalists in British Boys

FROM THE ROYAL & ANCIENT WEBSITE
Six English players have made their way into the last eight of the Boys Amateur Championship at Royal St George’s Golf Club, Sandwich, Kent.
James Burnett started the trend when he defeated Scotland’s double champion David Law, before Eddie Pepperell, Jack Heasman, Tom Lewis, Ben Stow and Samuel Edwards. Each of Friday's quarter-finals, therefore, will be contested by at least one Englishman.
Burnett’s victory could be described as something of an upset with Law having tapped into a rich vein of form over the last month. But, the 17-year-old from Lincolnshire was too good for the Scottish Boys and Scottish Amateur Match Play champion, winning by one hole.
“It was all pretty steady all the way round. I didn’t really get that far ahead but I kept going along and didn’t make many mistakes,” said the England international who is heading for the Junior Masters at the end of the month.
Following Burnett, Eddie Pepperell was next to secure his passage into the last eight with a victory over compatriot, Ben Taylor. And though Pepperell, 18, did not quite find his round-four form, he scrambled well enough to pip Taylor and ran out a 2&1 winner on the 17th green.
“It was just a case of edging it out really as he’s a really good player,” explained the 18-year-old. I didn’t play as good as I did this morning, but I missed in the right areas and got up and down quite a bit.”
As a player who was in contention for a Walker Cup place, Pepperell is likely to be favourite to lift the Challenge Trophy on Saturday. He is, however, under no illusions about the unpredictable nature of match play.
“All the guys that are in the last eight now are playing well, so anything can happen. I’m confident in myself. I think I’m a good match play player and in the tight situations that’s when I play best.”
The other stand-out performance of the afternoon came from West Essex’s Jack Heasman who birdied four holes in a row to defeat French number-one, Thomas Ellissalde, 4&3.
“I never really expected that I’d be in a position like this to be honest, but now I’m here I feel like I can go all the way,” said the delighted 16-year-old.
Adding a continental element to the quarter-finals are Italy’s Andrea Bolognesi and Max Roehrig of Germany, both of whom won their matches by one hole.
Click here for full round-five results.
David Law had mounted a brilliant back-nine comeback to overcome Clement Sorbet on Thursday morning.
The 18-year-old Aberdonian was two holes behind the Frenchman at the turn but rallied to force his way back to all-square.
“I birdied ten and then on 13 I was about 30 feet away and Clement was four feet away looking to go two-up,” explained Law who last week earned five points from a possible six at the Boys Home Internationals. “I holed, he holed as well, but that saved me. I birdied the next to go back to square. We both halved 16 and seventeen in par and a par was good enough for me on the 18th.”
“I didn’t get off to a great start but after the first four holes I struck it really well and holed a few putts which was nice. I was just happy to win.”
Produing an even more impressive comeback was France's Erwan Vieilledent, who on Wednesday defeated the 2008 champion, Pedro Figueiredo. Vieilledent had a mountain to climb at two-down with two to play but he was up to the challenge, winning three in succession to claim victory at the 19th for the second day in a row with a terrific up-and-down.
Eddie Pepperell, meanwhile, secured passage into round five with a victory against Portugal’s Miguel Gaspar. It was another comfortable victory for the Englishman who required only 24 holes to reach the third round earlier in the week.
“I played pretty good. I made five birdies and my iron play was really good. I’m pretty pleased.”
Pepperell, a member of the initial 28-man Walker Cup squad, now enters the last 16 as one of the favourites, but he is sure not to get complacent.
“I’m going to take one game at a time, respect every opponent and not underestimate anyone. I’m sure the lad I play this afternoon will be playing well so I just have to go out and hit the ball good again.”
In other results, Italy’s Andrea Bolognesi defeated Lewis White of England 2&1; Frenchman, Gary Stal, beat Sebastian Kannler of Germany by the same margin; England Under-18 champion, Tom Lewis eventually prevailed over the USA’s Henry Todd on the 20th hole.

Click here for round-four results and live scored from round five.