ROCHFORD Hundred’s midweek Scott Spencer saw three players pull well clear of the rest of the field as they battled for victory.

But in the end it took countback to split Gary Matthews and Tom Wells, with Matthews snatching the victory from fellow six handicapper Wells.

Matthews largely owed his win to his round containing five birdies, often fighting back after a bogey on previous holes, and also his strong finish from the 16th where ultimately he scored the required points to deny Wells.

Wells’ round was the more consistent of the pair as he posted 12 pars along with a couple of birdies of his own, but he was unable to quite match Matthews stronger finish. Both deservedly earned a one-shot handicap reduction into category one status, now playing off five.

Essex boys champion Mitchel Sarling showed his class in third place scoring 37 points with his round containing a mighty impressive two eagles on the par four third and par five 16th.

Sarling also managed three further birdies but was left to rue a double bogey on the par four 13th.

Two of Rochford’s team representatives had contrasting results with the defending champion Youth shield side again taking pride of place with a superb 5-0 win away at West Essex.

However, the Norman Plum side suffered defeat at the hands of The Warren.

The ladies’ section played their Peugeot Coronation Foursomes with Kay Campbell-Carr and Lorr-aine Norris scoring 34 points for victory and the right to represent the Ladies in the area final.