JO Rumsey pulled off the narrowest of victories in the senior English ladies' southern regional strokeplay tournament at Came Down, Dorset.

At the end of 36 holes Rumsey, from Rochford Hundred, was tied with Somerset's Val McFarlane, but took the title by virtue of her better second round.

Rumsey, a former professional, had compiled a solid 78 in strong winds and driving rain and was the only player to break 80 during the tournament.

She had scored 83 in the first round.

Val, a three-handicapper from Lansdown, shot 80 and 81.

"It was a case of trying to keep the ball in play and I was pleased with my second round score - until I took a double bogey on the 16th," said Rumsey.

"It's a tough, very interesting course and it was very satisfying to win."

This is Rumsey's debut season in English seniors' events after she was ruled out last year by a broken ankle.

In fact she missed much of 2006 with the injury, suffered when she fell off a chair while decorating at home.

The 51-year-old four handicapper also played in the English seniors' championship at Delamere Forest in April and made it into the matchplay stages.

She played on the European Tour for a decade and remarked: "I had a great 10 years."

Since she returned to amateur ranks she has concentrated on club golf and has been Rochford Hundred's ladies champion for the past seven years.

>HOLDERS Basildon are the last remaining local club in the Essex Junior Team Championship for the Leslie F Wood Trophy after beating Maldon 9-6 at Woolston Manor in the quarter-finals.

They now take on Chelmsford at the Warren while Chelmsford host the other semi with The Warren meeting Woolston Manor.

Chelmsford overcame Orsett 8-7 at Thorndon Park.