BRIAN Coleman finished his tenure as captain of the Worcestershire Golf Club Captains in style.

Teams of captains from Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and defending champions Norfolk were comprehensively beaten by the host county in the annual Four Counties Trophy event.

The Worcestershire, Malvern Wells, was the venue for the 33rd year of the prestigious tournament.

Despite being the county’s oldest golf club, formed in 1879, the course lived up to its proud reputation as a stern test of golfing skill.

Twelve-man squads played a better-ball format from the white tees off three-quarters handicap with the lowest score from each side being discounted.

Worcestershire’s home-club captain Coleman and his partner Grenville Rose, of Worcester Golf and Country Club, led from the front with 37 stableford points.

However, the best round of the day came from Bransford’s Ian Hamilton (12 handicap) and Churchill and Blakedown’s Paul Walker (9) with 43 to take the honours as the best individual pair.

Kings Norton player Derek Tranter (11) and Hagley’s Marty Wilde (14) posted 42, while The Worcestershire’s Terry Smith and Tony Rogers recorded 40.

Alex Bishop and Terry Tansley, of Droitwich, came in with 37 but, despite their valiant efforts, the discounted pair was Droitwich’s Stef Kotlarzewski and Kidderminster’s Kevin Woodham.

The hosts’ total score of 199 was 28 points ahead of nearest rivals Hertfordshire on 171 with Buckinghamshire on 169 and Norfolk on 168.

Worcestershire’s Ivan Cross won the contest for the travelling reserves.

In his post-match speech, Coleman said the event had capped a wonderful two years for him as captain of the Worcestershire Captains.

In accepting the role, he had been delighted to follow in the footsteps of his great friend, the late Garnet Scott, and thanked his committee and fellow captains for their support throughout his tenure.

He was particularly pleased to have won this year’s competition on his home course and gratified the visitors had praised the quality of both the course and the catering.

He was sure they would be keen to return in four years when it would be the county’s turn to host once more.