Back nine is key at winter medal final

Players who had qualified during that period took part, but it was Jones (79-14=65) who grabbed the honours thanks mainly to a superb back nine of just three over par gross.

He had a birdie plus nine pars which was too hot for the ever consistent Tony Hadley (68-1=67) who edged out Bill Rusga (78-11=67) for second place on countback.

Hadley's three under par gross round included five birdies and 11 pars while Rusga parred 12 holes.

Rochford held their first Scott Spencer competition of the year - a weekly Stableford with the best five cards deciding the winner.

Roy Nesbitt was the runaway winner with 42 points which also earned him a handicap cut down to nine.

Nesbitt had a brace of birdies and 11 pars to push Bill Rusga (38) and Bob Semaine (37) into the minor places. Rusga had two birdies and nine pars but two "blobs" put him out of the frame. Eleven pars were the highlights for Semaine.

Rochford got their Jubilee Cup campaign — a competition in the county for higher handicappers — off to a winning start with a narrow 5-4 success over visitors Ilford.

The competition is played on a league basis with six singles and three fourball matches and Rochford got home thanks to wins from Len Alliston, Andy Fraser, Alan Rapson and Mike Davill with Jack Archibald claiming a half. Deadly duo Roger Newell and Alan McEwan also grabbed a vital half point.

Rochford Ladies played for the Fraser Cup and Carol Evans beat rising star Danielle Anderson.

They were both locked on 37 points but Carol just won on countback with Jo Rumsey (36) in third place.

Rochford's Spring mixed greensomes saw 20 pairs take part and George Kemp and Chris Fox came out on top with a fine 42 Stableford points which qualified them to represent the club in the Badar Trophy's regional final.

Second on 37 were Dick and Sue Clarke with Keith and Jackie Mitchell third with 34.

Front nine prizes went to John and Lyn Ivison with Dave and Di Sammons taking the back nine.