MALDON Golf Club have progressed to the second round of the Leslie F Wood Championship.

They played host to visitors Mardyke Valley GC from South Ockenden and won 10.5-4.5, in the first round of the competition.

The knock-out competition is open to golfers with a handicap of 7.5 or above and pits teams of ten players against each other in five foursomes and ten singles matchplay games, with all matches played off scratch.

Maldon's men performed superbly and were 4-1 up after the morning foursomes.

The pair of Darren Mason and Ian Keen found themselves four down after six holes, only to go on and win eight of the next nine to claim a 4&3 victory.

Leslie Wood debutants Tom Bownes and Richard Nash combined well and secured a 4&3 win.

Needing a total of eight points to win, Maldon set about the afternoon singles in a confident manner.

Sam Cummins romped to a 9&8 victory, Alan Buckingham won his match 6&5 and Mick Kempen played some great golf to win his tie by 8&6.

Maldon won the singles 6.5-3.5 on matches, to ensure the club made progress.

Maldon GC played against the Warren in the first round of the Norman Plum Trophy.

Each team comprised six pairs of category three and four handicappers playing pairs betterball matchplay, with three ties played at each course.

Maldon battled to a hard-fought draw in the away matches, with each team scoring 1.5 points.

However, the Warren won the matches played at Maldon 2&1 and progressed to the next round, 3.5-2.5 on matches.

Maldon's men also played in the Essex County Seniors knock-out first round.

They hosted Royal Epping Golf Club, with the match comprising 11 singles matchplay ties and Maldon ran out 6-5 on matches.

They will face either Basildon GC or The Brentwood GC in the next round.

Earlier in the week, Maldon GC seniors section contested the Hector Hunt Trophy.

James Marling won with 32 points while seniors captain Eric Bane was runner-up with 31 points.