MATTHEW Michael had a deserved victory in the Elmstead Cup, at Colchester Golf Club.

Michael was victorious in the competition, which is traditionally played for over the Easter Weekend.

The event takes place first as a qualifier where the top eight players compete in a knockout, with the final played on Easter Monday.

Michael, playing off ten, sealed his place by beating Bill Eke (five), who had earlier won the qualifier with a nett 65 and Alan Sharrocks (two).

Michael's opponent was David Barnes (12), whose passage to the final was over Mark Culley (ten) and John Waterson (eight).

The final was refereed by Ian Parry, who had qualified but was knocked out by Waterson.

In an excellent final, Barnes was ahead by one after the ninth.

And Michael, after a great bunker shot for a par on the 12th, went three down to an excellent Barnes birdie.

However, Michael clawed shots back on the 13th and 14th and standing on the 15th just one down, he went on to win the match on the 18th one up.

Both players struck the ball well, played below their handicaps and provided an excellent and tenacious final.

The Elmstead Cup was first presented to Colchester GC in 1920, when Elmstead Golf Club closed.

The Bank Holiday weekend saw Colchester GC also stage a mixed golf greensomes competition, where Gill and Barrie Minns edged past Judith and Roger Robertson to win on countback, after both pairs returned 40 points.

Janet Austin and Ian Coleman were third with 39 points, three points ahead of fourth-placed Maureen Crosbie and Bill Eke.

They finished ahead of Sharon and Peter Manby and Claire and David Croger on countback, after all three pairs finished on 36 points.

Colchester GC's vets section hosted Hintlesham and registered their first victory, having lost at Gosfield and Stoke-by-Nayland.

Colchester GC's Juniors hosted Ipswich in the first round of the Royal British Legion Junior KO Challenge.

Each team consists of two pairs playing matchplay better ball with Hambro scoring, when the holes are played out to the end.

Colchester’s first pair of Cai James and Max Maynard won their match by one hole.

And after a shaky start, their second pair of Dab Nicholls and Charley Hatley played excellent golf to win five up to secure Colchester a six-hole victory.