Weston go through to the next round of the Somerset Bowl after winning two matches that went to extra holes.

WESTON travelled to a windy Oake Manor to take on Windwhistle in the first round of the Somerset Bowl.

The veteran pairing of Iain Hall-Scott and Dave Ward came up against strong opponents to lose 3&2, and when the second pair of Pete Blunden and Neil Urch also lost, it was not looking good for Weston.

Roger and Rich Magor were three up with three to play, but despite losing the 16th and 17th, held on to halve the 18th hole and win their game.

The match was in the balance with two games going into extra holes. Nick Carter and Carl Hall finally won their match at the first extra hole, and with the match now tied at 2 -2, it all came down to Nigel and James Browne playing their second extra hole.

Fortunately for Weston, James, who had driven well all afternoon, now showed his skills with the putter, rolling a lengthy putt to within inches to secure the victory.

Weston A entertained Long Sutton B in an Avalon League Division 5 match. The opening pair of Pete Blunden and Iain Hall-Scott had a tight match with all to play for at the last. Unfortunately, the Weston pair had to settle for a narrow defeat. Jono Rees made his competitive debut of the season, along with partner Simon Collier, they fought out a half.

Nigel Browne and Rob Tate proved to be the only Weston winners on the day helped by Rob opening with two birdies in the first four holes and Nigel closing the match out by birdying four of their final five holes for a 3&2 victory.

James Browne and Ronald Mabasa never quite got going in their match and despite holding on for most of the game, eventually lost on the 16th. A similar fate befell Aussie Denison and Sam Fernley. The final result was a 3.5-1.5 win for Long Sutton.

Weston’s Avalon B team lost another close match against Frome in blustery conditions.

Dan Hewlett and newcomer Steve Blackaller managed to halve their match, but then Steve Corrick and newcomer Steve Jones lost 2&1 in a close match.

Captain Andy Balcombe and Graham Hicken lost 3&2 and the next pairing of John Whitewood and newcomer Andy Smith managed to win one up on the last.

Last out Kenton Simpson and Alan Harris lost their match on the last hole by missing a putt which would have halved the match overall.

? THE Coronation Cup, one of Worlebury Golf Club board events, was won by Terry Bradley.

Results: Terry Bradley (77) net 65; Richard Gorton (81) 66; Pete Gilpin (71) 66; Joshua Freeman (76) 66; Simon Dempsey (70) 67.

The May monthly medal was also played last weekend, with the wind even stronger as the day went on for the later starters

Results - Division 1: Nick Extence (80) 68; Trevor Davies (79) 69; Tom Blackett. Division 2: Colin Cleeves (83) 65; Mark Cook (84) 66; James Spence (82) 69. Division 3: Steve Archibald (94) 66; Paul Fillingham (89) 69; Henry O Shea (98) 70.

The seniors’ return match with Enmore resulted in a defeat for Worlebury 5.5-2.5 The winner of nearest the pin was Worlebury’s Tony Little.

The second game of the week was against The Bristol, this again resulted in a defeat by Worlebury 4.5- 2.5 Nearest to the pin was Frank Neil (Worlebury).

The Avalon team have an away fixture this weekend against Mendip Spring on Saturday, while the first team host Shirehampton on Sunday.

? BANK Holiday Monday is traditionally the day of the Martin Bull Trophy at Wedmore, held in memory of the club’s first captain.

This year’s event was notable for the performance of Martin’s son Richard Bull, who not only claimed one of the nearest the pin prizes but also, in conjunction with club directors Geoff and Ken Abraham and Derek Warn, took third place overall.

Their score of 81 points was only beaten on countback by Jan Jenkins, Claire Biggs, John Russell and seniors’ captain Tony Biggs.

It was a good day for the captains because the winning team included both ladies’ captain Jane Hewitt and club captain Bob Jones. Together with Ange and Brian Webber, their score of 86 points was five points.

Thursday was the first open of the year, a ladies’ bowmaker which teamed three visitors with a Wedmore member.

The early leaders were June Smith with Mary Guy, Jackie Lynn and Roisin Burrels from Taunton and Pickeridge. Their 74 points was eventually good enough for third place. In second place was the strong looking team of Cathy Olive with Lena Warren, Jenny Alberg and Jane Waller from Farrington with 78 points.

The winning team though, who came in with an amazing 86 points, eight points clear of the rest of the field, were Liz Sims with Elizabeth Matthews, Gill Berry and Alison Smith from Burnham and Berrow.

The wind was again a factor for the monthly Stableford on Sunday, but there were excellent scores from divisional winners John Russell (39), Paul Sloman (39) and Malcolm Tanner (41) and ladies’ winner Claire Biggs (33) who all finished well ahead of the rest of the field.

? BREAN seniors have continued their winning ways with a victory in the first leg of their annual match against Fosseway.

They recorded a 4-2 win and will now attempt to defend this advantage in the away leg at the tricky Fosseway course in Midsomer Norton later in the year.

Barrie Yearsley won the Hall of Fame qualifier with 38 points last Thursday and now qualifies to take his place in the regional final of the event. He won by three points from John Sherwood, who took second on countback from Mike Allen.

Also continuing with winning ways were the Avalon League team, who compete in Division 6. They faced a Wheathill side at Brean and after five close matches they ended up on the right side of a 3.5-1.5 scoreline.

The Super Series event had an added bonus on Saturday as the Divisional winners also won an chance to play at Oake Manor alongside the West Region PGA pros in the Total Triumph Classic at the end of May.

Winning Division 1 was Steve Jones with 38 points after a countback with Roy Baker. Division 2 victor was captain-elect Stewart Garret who carded 39 points. Runner-up was Roger Phillips on 38.

The planned competition on Sunday was changed to a betterball Stableford pairs event. An added twist saw both players’ scores having to count on the four par three holes and the winning duo were Murray Parsons and Barry Tucker who combined to card 47 points.

The Jones brothers, Paul and Steve, were pipped for second on countback by Roger Vaughan and his partner Regan Phipps after both had 45 points.

David Haines finished in a tie for fifth place and Andrew March in eighth position in the Gloucester and Somerset PGA 36-hole championship last week at the Players Club near Bristol.

Haines managed to hang on to the advantage he had for second place in the Order of Merit, whilst March occupied eighth place in the final standings. Both players are now looking forward to a successful summer on the West Region PGA schedule.

? TIM Elliot continued his good form over the past month with victory in the men’s midweek Stableford at Mendip Spring.

He beat Phil Lazenby into second place on countback with 40 points. Junior Callum Hannay also put in a fine performance in the medal competition, carding a net 67 in windy conditions.

Sue Sokel and Nicola Gowing came out on top in the two ladies’ Stableford competitions of the week, with Jim Redstone recording a net 69 to win the seniors’ Medal.

John Leech and Nigel North pipped Steve Brueford and Mike Daw on countback in the Greensomes on Sunday.

The seniors’ went down 4.5-3.5 in their match at Alice Springs in Wales. There were wins for captain Paul Millward and partner Brian Shearer, Tom Pappathomas and Peter Carpenter and Rob Slocombe and Nick Patel. Pat Lewis and Paul Bailey secured a half on the 18th green.

? WORLEBURY Ladies Medal, Division 1: Emma Limer nett 70; Helen Clarke 71.

Fred Crawford Cup: Nick Carter and Janet Simms 46 pts; Alan and Janice Hartree 46.

Coronation Foursomes: Jane Wakerley and Lisa Griffiths 40 pts; Helen Clarke and Lynn Pope 38.