HOME advantage proved crucial as The Worcestershire defeated visitors Bransford 5-1 to win the Tim Wilson Trophy.

Played in memory of a popular member of both clubs, the fixture is contested bi-annually.

Two former Bransford members Andy McCabe (handicap 4) and Phil Birch (6) set the pace, winning the opening match 3&1.

They were followed by Paul Wakley (11) and Brian Kendall (12) 3&2 and Steve Carter (11) and Tom Davies (5) 5&4.

The youthful Ally Renton (13) and Tom Howells (1) took the fourth match 4&3 with Dave Tucker (9) and Ralph Kellsall (9) making a comeback after a poor start to win 2&1.

Steve Bradshaw (8) and Mark Read (5) were just edged out, going down 3&1.

The return match is at Bransford in November with The Worcestershire needing 1.5 points to retain the trophy.

In the last of their summer matches, The Worcestershire’s seniors needed no such home advantage when they travelled to old rivals Kidderminster.

It was a bright day for the visitors but not so for their hosts who went down 4-2, forfeiting a previously unbeaten home record.

The Worcestershire’s winners were Andy Peet and Tim Keats 4&3, Allan Davies and John Green 6&5 and Ron Gordon and Tony Cox 2&1.

Matches were halved by Terry Cox and Barry Caswell and Ron Barker and Phil Bayliss.

Losers this time were captain Nigel Teale and James Noon.

In club competitions, chairman Michael Hanna and playing partner Bill Thomas won the Spreckley Foursomes on countback from Nigel Collins and Martin Lloyd.

Both pairs scored 37 stableford points, one ahead of third-placed Barry Schofield and Mike Sterry.

Ladies’ captain Elsie Kelsall held a charity fun day in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

A 12-hole three-ball alliance stableford was won by Hazel Cartledge, Jenny Musson and Christine Goody with 56 points, one ahead of Mary Horrobin, Liz Bird and Ruth Scott.

Anne Garner, Jill Brierly and Diane Keates were third on 52.

The golf was followed by numerous clubhouse activities including a hoola-hoop challenge which was won convincingly by Sandra Schofield.

Competition prizes were donated by Chris Urry.

Organisers Clive and Debbie Minett reported a healthy state of affairs for mixed golf at an end-of-season supper at the Malvern Wells club.

With an average of 15 pairs available to play in each of 10 inter-club matches throughout the season, the squad won six, lost three and halved one.

New opponents this year were The Warwickshire but a long-standing fixture against The Herefordshire was abandoned as the opposition were unable to raise a team.

A successful mixed open saw 76 participants from near and far with the winners representing Durham City.

The best home player was second-placed Cath Francis with Simon Jones from Verulam, St Albans.

Roger and Jill Brierly took the summer foursomes knockout to lift the Rose Bowls, defeating Paul and Diane Meakin in the final.

The club’s mixed golfers look forward to the popular series of winter Sunday competitions where the lady and the man with the highest individual aggregate score will lift the Winter Tankards.

The 2016-17 winners were Debbie Minett and Roger Brierly.