BRANSFORD Golf Club's seniors face a tough time retaining the winter league title.

The competition involves a round-robin of matches against Little Lakes, Wharton Park and newcomers The Staffordshire.

The first round at Bransford could not have been tighter with the hosts, Little Lakes and Wharton Park each collecting seven points and The Staffordshire, who have taken over from the defunct Burlish Park, just three.

The Staffordshire host a round on January 9, 2018, while the two other rounds will be played at Little Lakes on Wednesday, November 15, and at Wharton Park on February 15.

Bransford’s Dave Miller and John Phillips won against Phil Smith and Ray Robinson (Little Lakes) while Trevor Atkinson and Adrian Wood beat Gary Coombes and Martin Yeomans (Little Lakes).

Lee Dyment and Mike Weaver lost to Ken Gee and Paul Screen (Staffs) and Phil Spencer and Dave Lindsay halved with Derek Bayes and Mike Wheeler (Staffs).

Roger Clark and Alan Wallcroft lost to Bob Marriott and Ian Wilson (Wharton Park) while Rob Blake and Roy Williams won against Pete Mauger and Andy Baker (Wharton Park).

Setting the early pace in Division One after the first round of Bransford seniors’ stableford winter league is Pete Anthony.

He opened the first of the six qualifying rounds with 41 to open up a five-point advantage over Harry Corbett.

Barry Benge, Mike Davidge and Mike Murley finished on 35 and Alan Ford, Trevor Atkinson, Graham Wilks and Keith Edgell on 34.

There was also a top score of 41 in Division Two from the steady Rob Wetton.

Two points behind are John Ballard and Geoff Aston followed by Mike Weaver on 38, Andrew Jarvis on 36 and Alan Wallcroft, Neil Sheldon, Harry Godwin and Richard Fletcher on 34.

Gerry McCurry was an easy winner in Division Three with 39, six ahead of Roger Steade and Malcolm Bradley.

Jeff Carlisle scored 32 and Steve Littlewood 31.

The ladies’ October stableford produced a clear-cut win for June Atkinson (19 handicap) who was seven points clear of her nearest challengers with 36. Jane Smallwood (26) managed 29, Abi Nixon (30) 39, Mary Starkey (29) 28, Trish Godwin (25) 26 and Ann Roberts 26.