ROUND six of Maldon Golf Club's men's Ben Volta winter league took place on Sunday.

Thirty-two pairs were greeted by an unexpected deep frost, with greens and fairways frozen solid.

However, the bright sunshine eventually thawed the frozen ground after the first nine holes.

This week's competition was a better ball stableford event, with each player receiving 90 per cent of their individual handicap.

Some excellent scores were returned in the tricky conditions.

First place on the day went to last year's Ben Volta league winners, Pete Hawkins and Martyn Cook, who won by two clear shots with a marvellous eight-under par score of 44 points.

Second, on 42 points, were Maldon stalwarts Peter Harper and Peter Bibby.

There was a countback to determine the placings from third to sixth, as four pairs returned a score of 41 points.

Third place went to Alan Buckingham and Sam Cummins.

Sam Clark and Jordan Hazell were placed fourth, Dave and Rob Poynton fifth and Mel Petchey and David Jones sixth.

The captain's nearest-the-pin prize on the par three fifth/14th was awarded to Paul Nash, while five-handicapper Sam Clark won the prize for the closest second shot to the par four ninth/18th for the second week running.

Tony Davis and Martin Read still head the league table with 100 points.

Pete Hawkins and Martyn Cook climbed from ninth to second place by virtue of their win this week and now have 85 points.

Billy Mason and Marley Read are in third place on 83 points but only on countback from Mick Kempen and Steve Gearey.

Maldon Golf Club's darts team continued their excellent run of form with another victory in division three of the Maldon District League.

The 9-8 victory over Hatfield Peverel was their sixth straight league win this season.