At last! Magic Melling ends long wait for title

ALL YOURS: Gary Melling receives the Crompton and Royton Club Championship trophy from captain Barry McLoughlin

GARY Melling was in seventh heaven when he finally got to claim the Club Championship at Crompton and Royton.

At his 28th attempt and after finishing runner-up no less than six times, Melling got his hands on the trophy after an 18-hole playoff with club-mate Andrew Simpson.

Melling shot a two-under par gross 68 with birdies at the 14th and 18th taking him five clear of his gallant opponent.

There was further success for Melling in the mixed foursomes final as he partnered Christine Rimmer in a 3&2 victory over men's captain Barry McLoughlin and Jennifer Kenworthy.

Simpson was also on the honours' board, clinching the Highfield Cup after defeating Chris Calow at the first extra hole.

The Zacharias Cup went to Stuart Hopkinson, who posted 77-10-67 to deny Andrew Eames (84-16-68, CPO) and Alan Pickles (83-15-68). Andrew Simpson returned the best gross of 73.

Other results ­-

BLACKLEY

Midweek Medal

1, Stephen Hanley 86-18-68 CPO; 2, Alan Horsfield 87-19-68; 3, Daniel Wilds 88-17-71.

Division One: Daniel Williams 76-5-71. Division Two: Robert Gardner 86-13-73. Division Three: Kenneth Gray 93-22-71.

Autumn Cup, round two

Overall winner: Gareth Conroy 74-6-68 CPO; 2, Louis Saxon 75-7-68; 3, Darron Tickle 77-8-69 CPO. Division One: James Ashelby 81-10-71. Division Two: Robert Munson 86-16-70. Division Three: David Mannion 100-27-73.

BROOKDALE

Autumn Cup, round two

Division One: 1, Charlie Clough 71-6-65; 2, Neil Trolan 71-6-65; 3, Andrew Riley 80-12-68.

Division Two: 1, Ray Deacon 85-17-68; 2, Craig Evans 90-21-69; 3, Steve Todd 83-14-69.

CROMPTON and ROYTON

Sunday Stableford

1, Mark Whitehead 40 points; 2, Jack Kenworthy 35pts CPO; 3, Jason Walton 35pts.

Midweek Stableford

Division One: 1, Andrew Bottomley 40 points; 2, Paul Hopkinson 38pts CPO. Division Two: 1, David Capper 39pts; Michael Carter 34pts CPO. Nine-hole Stableford: David Greenwood 14pts.

Midweek Medal

Division One: 1, Steven Barrett 70-6-64; 2, Ryan O'Leary 70-5-65. Division Two: 1, Brian Davies 83-16-67; 2, Barry West 89-19-70. Nine-hole Stableford: Jim Booth 15pts.

Three-Division Medal

Division One: Paul Finigan 77-10-67; 2, Andrew Frizzell 76-8-68 CPO. Division Two: Les Bithwell 79-11-69; 2, Steve Costigan 80-12-68. Division Three: Graham Marsh 85-20-65; , Maurice Nicholson 89-20-69.

Junior Knock-out final

Scott Taylor beat Corey Pearson 8&7.


WERNETH

Closing Invitation

1, Chris Greaves and B Tupman 47 points; 2, Paul Durkin and Mark Timperley 46pts CPO; 3, Danny Wilkinson and Steve Daubney 46pts CPO; 4, Dale Hobson and Reece Hobson 46pts.

Midweek Stableford

1, Paul Fogarty 39 points; 2, Tony McNamara 38pts.