SARA Cock and Claire Hebden were the winners in Colchester Golf Club’s first ladies competition of 2018.

After nearly four months of weather-restricted playing time, the MacKenzie Foursomes qualifying competition provided a strong field for the eight pairs that progress to the knockout stages.

Belying their 30 handicaps, Cock and Hebden returned nett 80 on a course with no run on the ball, which made it play very long.

Playing off 15 and half their combined handicaps, Philippa Deman and Heather Dennis mirrored their score but lost out on countback.

Alison Clare and Janet Austin (22½) were third, while just half a shot behind them were Maureen Devenish and Hayley Joel (20½) on 81½.

Other qualifiers were Beverley Parker and Pip Macauley, Cathy Burchell and Julie Dicks, Katie Johnson and Bridgett Whitworth and Hannah Butcher and Daphne Bloomfield.

Ipswich GC ended hosts Colchester GC four-year winning streak to win the 87th annual Tankard match, five matches to three.

Colchester captain Mike Withers presented the trophy to Ipswich GC newly-appointed captain, Chris Meyhew.

Withers did his best to hold the team together by winning his match but a determined Ipswich side prevailed.

Colchester hosted a new inter-club match between Chelmsford, Frinton and The Warren, who won by 12 points.

Colchester were runners-up.

Colchester GC's Leslie Wood competition team lost a knife-edge match away against Romford.

The morning foursomes was their nemesis, with Romford leading 3½-1½.

The first three singles matches went in Colchester’s favour and scores were levelled.

But a surge by Romford took the match score to 9-6 and away from Colchester.

There was better news for Colchester's men’s Seniors team, who romped home against Maylands 8½-2½ at their Braiswick course.

Three of the first five matches went Colchester’s way and although most matches went to the 17th or 18th hole, they were worthy winners.

Colchester won a tough home match against Frinton 3-2, in the Inter-Club Youth Shield (Handicap Division) first round.

In Colchester GC's Sunday Boget competition, Matt Durrell claimed victory with a plus seven from his nine handicap.

Richard Withnall (3) and Chris Carlin (16) were on plus two, from the 72 players who competed.