FORMER Stoke by Nayland Golf Club ladies captain Margaret Bentley triumphed in the club's Peter Blewitt Trophy.

She teamed up with her husband Clive to see off a strong field and win the mixed pairs competition with an excellent total of 44 points.

Tim and Tracey Dickens finished three points behind the Bentleys to finish as runners-up, in the American Greensomes event.

The trophy was presented by club captain Don Wiggins and ladies captain Anne Hemmings.

Results: 1st Clive and Margaret Bentley 44 points; 2nd Tim and Tracey Dickens 41 points; 3rd Martin Spurgeon and Barbara Jones 38 points.

Best front nine: Barry and Amanda Hall; best back nine: Paul and Jane Golding.

Bentley was also victorious in Stoke by Nayland Ladies' Rita Blewitt Trophy stableford competition, contested by 40 players.

She won with 36 points at the event, played by both weekend Ladies and weekday ladies.

Results, silver division: 1st Margaret Bentley 36pts, 2nd Anne Thomas 35pts, 3rd Mal Went 34pts.

Bronze division: 1st Jan Partner 34pts, 2nd Betty Cox 33pts, 3rd Karen Lewis 32pts.

Stoke by Nayland's Silver Trophy team got off to a magnificent start in this year's competition.

They beat West Essex 5-0, with the team led out by Bev Thompson who had a really close match eventually winning two up.

Sybil Paton took her closely-fought game to the 17th hole, winning 3&1.

Newcomer Jo Little had a really strong game with her intimidating long hitting to win 7&5 while Sue Latham was also on form, winning 7&4 and Margaret Bentley out-played her opponent to win 6&4.

Stoke by Nayland's Silver Trophy team are next in action against Crondon Park, on May 6.

Stoke by Nayland's Norman Plum squad began their pursuit of a third consecutive title success with a 4½ -1½ win over Colne Valley.

The Essex County competition for Category 3 and 4 players sees players in teams of 12 competing, six playing at home and six away with a minimum of two from each category.

The format is a four ball better ball matchplay competition, competed over 18 holes.

The home match was played on the Gainsborough course, in very unseasonal dry conditions.

At the halfway stage it was very close, with Stoke up in the first match.

But they had to fight hard in match two, with Mike Moore and Guy Holland being three down after three holes.

But Guy's chip in for a birdie on the fifth proved to be a turning point.

Stoke by Nayland's away players secured a further 1½ points to win the away match, to seal overall victory.

Results, home: Byron Long and Ian Benson won 6/5; Mike Moore and Guy Holland won 5/4; Steve Hewett and Liam Worsdell won 2 up.

Away: Dean Brace and Shaun Underwood lost 4/3; Gary Thompson and Luke Bennett halved; Trevor Brace and Dan Goddard won 4/3.

Lesley Hitchcock recorded a hole-in-one while playing in the Rita Blewitt Trophy.

Her milestone arrived with a three wood, on the tricky par-three 11th Gainsborough hole.