THE Worcestershire held their summer meeting with Division One players going for the prestigious Irish Cup.

Former Malvern Rugby Club player and coach Andrew Longley won the competition which was first played for in 1898.

Off a handicap of five, Longley achieved a nett 69, two better than plus-handicap golfer Steven Lane (70-+1-71) with Lee Whittall (79-7-72) third.

However, the best round came in Division Two where Colin Lowe took the Parker Vase with a nett 68 off a handicap of 13, ahead of John Duncan (89-16-73) and Mike Hanna (87-14-73).

In Division Three, the Cotton Tankard was claimed by Richard Kay (90-20-70) from Andrew Dare (92-20-72) and former club captain Brian Evans (92-18-74).

In the mid-week stableford, Richard Sebok carded 40 points in taking Division One, reducing his handicap to 11.

He was followed by David Yule (handicap 16) with 39 and Simon Clayson (14-38).

Division Two was won by Trevor Simmons (20-36) from Steve Hill (19-34) and Mike Cooke (23-33).

The Worcestershire men travelled to Sapey in their latest quest to retain the ‘A’ Team Trophy and managed a narrow but creditable 3½- 2½ away loss.

There were fine wins, both on the last hole, for debutant Steve Carter (12 handicap) and his brother Kevin Carter (6) with the latter holing out from 10 feet for the victory.

Jason Allies (5) and Whittall (7) won 1 up, while Gerald Bird (6) birdied the 18th from 30 feet to secure a half with Paul Wakely (10).

Mark Read (5) and Sebok (12) lost on the last one down and there were defeats for Phil Birch (6) and Phil Park (9) 4 and 3 and Andy McCabe (5) and Brian Kendall (12) 5&4.

Barry Schofield’s ‘C’ team beat The Herefordshire 3½- 2½ in fine weather.

Other notable achievements by club members included an excellent third place in the County Stroke Play Championships for Lane with gross scores of 72 and 74. In the Jubilee Shield for club ‘B’ teams, The Worcestershire representatives McCabe, Birch and Tom Howells secured second place behind a team from the hosts Redditch.

On his home course at Malvern Wells, Birch scored a notable hole-in-one during the club championship scratch medal.

Hitting a utility club to the eighth green, he pitched the ball 10 feet short of the hole and took two bounces before disappearing into the hole.

In the ever-popular series of mixed matches against other local clubs, a team led by ladies’ captain Jan Kirkland were victorious over Worcester Golf and Country Club 5½ -3½.

The successful pairings were Jill Piner and Brian Piner, Ann Moody and Barry Davies, Sally Dare and Andrew Dare, Di Meakin and Paul Meakin and Janet Long and Laurie Long, while Chris Urry and club captain Mike Sterry secured a half.

The Worcestershire ladies continued their successful run in friendlies when a team captained by Pam Emery-Reynolds beat the visiting Droitwich Spa 3-1.

Of seven matches played, they have won five with the other two drawn.

In a ladies’ Ping national four ball better ball competition, in-form Liz Lewis (handicap 17) and Sue Doswell (30) pipped June Jones (14) and Hazel Cartledge (25) to win the first round with 39 points.