NEARLY 40 teams of four players took on The Worcestershire course in a strong, turbulent wind with two scores to count on each hole.

Such conditions usually favour the lower handicapped players there was no exception at the Malvern Wells course.

Stephen Lane (+1), Nevill Clarke (6), Colin Lane (9) and Dave Jones (10) led the field with a score of 82 stableford points.

In second place, Mark Read (4), Phil Birch (8), Phil Hirons (14) and Kevin Field (18) scored a credible 80 points, while the best of a number of teams on 78 was an experienced team comprising club secretary Terry Smith (8), Gary Lynes (10), Denis Chetwood (11) and Eifion Morgan (14).

Meanwhile, The Worcestershire played at home against Redditch GC in the first round of the national Mail on Sunday competition.

Redditch brought a strong team and a close match ensued in windy, chilly conditions with the visitors finally winning by three matches to two. Results: Phil Shurmer (1) lost to Paul Reeves (1) 2&1; Barry Caswell (10) lost to Tom Mee (4), one-down; Geoff Fox (6) lost to Ben Myatt (3) two-down; Andy Davis (10) beat Russ Ager (4) two-up; Nick Smith (6) beat Chris Bromley (scratch) one-up.