LESS than one shot separated the first three places in the three man Texas scramble played in wintery conditions at Cricket St Thomas last Monday.

A total of 36 members entered the event with the majority of holes played on winter greens.

The 12 teams proved to be very equally matched in strength, and with handicaps adjusted accordingly, there was very little to choose between the first three.

Des Denning’s team led in the clubhouse with a gross 61.84 for some time, before eventually being overtaken by two teams led by Mike Burt and Barry Heath, – albeit by decimal points.

Result: 1 Mike Burt, Keith Branchflower & Mike Hone 61.33; 2 Barrie Heath, Ted Bryden & Norman Markby 61.67; 3 Des Denning, Maurice Arnold & Bryan Frost 61.84.

A field of 27 members enlisted for the three man ‘waltz’ competition on Wednesday in which all team members were required to score on every third hole with one score and two scores to count on intervening holes.

A fascinating duel ensued betweenteams led by Des Denning and Bryan Frost, both returning scores of 76 with the latter having the advantage of a better back nine.

However, a fine finish with nine points on the final hole saw Roger Stone’s trio triumph by two shots.

Result: 1 Roger Stone, Geoff Dean & Bill Hilson 78pts; 2 Bryan Frost, Barrie Heath & Richard Forster 76pts; 3 Des Denning, Frank Martin & Bob Barrow 76pts.

A total of 30 members took part in the fifth round of the Winter League Challenge Cup on Friday.

This 4Ball better ball event is played over eight rounds with the best six to count.

With winter tees and greens in play, scores were expected to be near the 50 mark. In fact ten teams managed 40+.

The strong paring of Bob White and Alan Chance led the field for the most part with 45 points but finished third in the end.

They were outscored by pairings led by Richard Forster and Roger Stone, both returning scores of 47 points, with the latter winning by virtue of a better back nine.

Result: 1 Roger Stone & Nobby Hodder 47pts, 2 Richard Forster & Maurice Arnold 47pts, 3 Bob White & Alan Chance 45pts.