Belfairs’ seniors suffered a 5½–2½ defeat to Mardyke Valley at South Ockendon at the weekend.

It was a role reversal from when the team’s met in the spring, with Belfairs winning 6½ – 1½ on that occasion.

Mardyke’s opening duo of Captain Rod Hall & Cliff Edwards raced off to an early three hole lead, but their opponents, Belfairs captain Tony Ball and his partner John Gregory had other ideas and fought back well with some consistent par golf.

A string of accurate second shots on the back nine, however, saw the Mardyke pair home by 4&3 to set up a winning streak for the home club, who took three of the next four games and halved the other to open up a winning lead.

Belfairs pairs Frank Howroyd & Harry Burke, Ron Murray & Stan Witton narrowed the gap with two solid wins only for John Bolden and Keith Webb to close out the last match 3&1 to give Mardyke victory.

The nearest the pin prizes for Belfairs were won by Mike Wellman and Stan Witton.

Results: Rod Hall & Cliff Edwards (MV) beat Tony Ball & John Gregory (B) 4 & 3; Howard Fowler & Bill Airey (MV) beat Eddie Stretch & Roy Warner (B) 3 & 2; Mick Gunning & Peter Schofield (MV) beat Mike O’Brien & Mick Wood (B) 3 & 2; Ken Osborne & Gerry Northover (MV) halved with Peter Upton & Mike Wellham (B); Dai Evans & Peter England (MV) beat Harry Smith & Dave Slattor (B) 6 & 4 ; Bob May & Ray Ginsburgh (V) lost to Frank Howroyd & Harry Burke (B) 1 hole; Dennis Thompson and Mick Hardy (MV) lost to Ron Murray and Stan Witton (B) 3 & 2; John Bolden and Keith Webb (MV) beat Michael Flynn & Ciaran Hart (B) 3 & 1.

It was a good turn-out at Belfairs for the Lady Captain’s Day which saw Joan Howroyd the eventual winner with 33 points closely followed by runner-up Linda Wellham and third-placed Tish Askins, both with 32 points, and Pat Pace taking the Best Back Nine with 18 points.

In the afternoon, 31 points was enough for Joan Smith & Barry Meddle to take the mixed greensomes competition from Joan Howroyd & George Moss (29) and Wil Parsons & Rick Chadwick (28).

In the Ping 4 Ball Better Ball event, first place went to Teresa Hirons & Andrea Clarke with 36 points; in second place was Hazel Webber & Alex Meddle and Mandy Moir & Wil Parsons taking third spot.