Chichester ladies get bragging rights after Mail on Sunday victory

Chichester won 4&1, although Hill Barn lost three of their games on the 17th or 18th holes – so it was a ‘nail-biting’ finish to the Maple Leaf derby, so called because both clubs are under the same ownership.

Meanwhile, Chichester ladies played their Spring Trophy and the scores reflected the very windy conditions.

A field of 39 ladies braved the gusts and the winner after countback with 37 points was Valerie Swain.

Yvonne Dunckley was second and third was in-form junior captain Rebecca Curd.

Recent Saturday qualifying Stableford competitions have seen Rebecca coming second on two occasions. First she was runner-up on 39 points to Nikki Hood, winner with 40 points, with Valerie third. Then Helen Ball won with 36 points, ahead of Rebecca on 34 and Nikki with 32.

Chichester won the Parafix Winter League thanks to a 5-0 win versus Lindfield in their final game – confirming their third title in a row. Only one match was won with more than a two-hole difference.

Chichester will host a Gala Day on Sunday, May 6.

COWDRAY PARK

The Baker Trophy, a running Stableford, saw 119 cards were returned.

The winner was John Doran with 43 points, second Dave Lucking on 41, on countback from Shaun Pay.

In the family foursomes, 16 pairs took part. Winners were father and son Terry and Mark Jasper with 38 points, on countback from another dad and son, Trevor and Archie Challen.

The J&J Cup, a 36-hole fourball betterball medal, attracted 19 pairs.

Winners were Lee Pay and Sean Gallagher with a nett score of 129, runners-up were Trevor Challen and Paul Shepherd (130) on countback from Matt Callow and Phil Cummins.

Cowdray Park Seniors started their monthly Stableford under clear blue skies, with heavy showers arriving during play.

Graham Evans, a winner the previous day in the team match versus Betchworth, carried his fine form forward to score 40 points, which proved the winning total.

Second in division one, with 38 points, came Roger Poat. Both players claimed their place in the end-of-season seniors’ championship. Third with 37 was ultra-consistent Ian Goodall.

First and second in division two, with 39 points, were Bruce Spooner and Maurice Watts, with the former claiming first place on countback, but both have earned their place in the seniors’ championship. Third with 36 points was Sam Howes.

Cowdray Park seniors hosted West Sussex seniors, with some Cowdray players playing their third game in three days. Three of those players had been victorious at Betchworth Park two days earlier and completed the double on the day.

Graham Evans, having won the monthly Stableford the day before, partnered Alistair Proctor to a stunning 5&4 win. His partner at Betchworth, Chris Hoare, also featured in a good win - 4&3 with Gary Strowbridge. Another 4&3 double winner, Barry Overington, partnered Mike Hancock to victory.

Cowdray were given a good start by match manager David Tilley who, with the in-form Sam Howes, won 2&1, and there followed a relentless run of Cowdray wins, which resulted in a 7-1 success for the home side.

Results (Cowdray names first): David Tilley & Sam Howes beat Alan Hunt & Rob Davidson 2&1; Harvey Terry & Brian Carpenter beat Chris Pett & Derrick Simpson 4&3; Derek Smith & Peter Burton beat Adrian White & Nick Brigstoke 3&1; Mike Hancock & Barry Overington beat Graeme McDavid &Andrew Dobson 4&3; Chris Hoare & Gary Strowbridge beat John Varney & Jeremy Buckwell 3&2; David Manning & Mike Cardiff beat Stuart Reid & Stuart Bishop 1 up; John Newman & Ralph Fanshawe lost to Jon Perry & John Gale 5&3; Graham Evans & Alistair Proctor beat Peter Huggett & Roger Reed 5&4.

Cowdray Park seniors took part in the annual medal competition for the Heard Tankard, kindly donated by member David Heard.

A total of 52 members took to the tee, with some teeing off early so they could travel to Guildford to attend the funeral of former colleague Brian Taylor.

Trophy donor David Heard returned a nett 69 and the lowest gross score of the day.

He remained in the lead until in-form Wally Mitchell submitted 66, only to be trumped on countback by the ever-impressive Cliff Davis, who won overall. His gross back nine of 36 was quite outstanding.

Bill Brownlee also recorded 66 but could claim only third on countback.

Only three players scored a two, with Peter Hallt the only player to enter and scoop the pool.

AVISFORD PARK

Avisford seniors had a disappointing start to their 2012 season, losing 4-2 at home to Rookwood.

Results (Avisford names first): Bob Boulter & David Feist lost by 1 hole to Craig Kilgarriff & Brian Whitwell; Ernie Rivett & Peter Smith halved with Graham Hartley & John Clapham; Martin Crick & Gerry Terrant lost to Dave Slatter & Roger Lighter 4&3; Peter Brown & Graham Williams lost to Keith Pollard & Jeff Alway 5&3; Colin Payne & Colin Butler halved with Charles Waters & Tony Priestley; Barry Goble & Stan Burfield beat Tony Peers & Ian Watson 2&1.

The seniors’ Stableford was won in division one by Richard Strickland with 37 points and in division two by Rodger Hill with 35. The midweek Stableford was won by Al Winterton with 36 points.

The final was played for the order of merit division-two competition with Rob Wyatt beating William Salder on the 18th hole. The club medal was won in division one by Stephen Porter with a nett 66 and in division two by Rob Wyatt with 67.

The latest seniors’ Stableford winners were Christopher Machin in division one with 37 points and Colin Robinson in division two with 40.

A St George’s Day foursomes competition saw Mark Walden and Kevin Edmunds win on countback from Ryan Blackwood and Stephen Squires – both pairs scoring nett 68.

In the ladies’ Stableford, Jayne Hardwell won with 33 points.