The Colchester seniors’ team came up against an in-form Three Rivers to lose out in the first round of the Essex Seniors Team Championship.

Played at Three Rivers, Colchester, the champions of two years ago, realised they were up against it when only two of their 11 matches were up going through the ninth.

Roger Robertson was first through and although he had been down most of the match he took Dave Gordon to the last before losing out by one hole.

Likewise Alan Hyde, who was giving six shots to his opponent Dave Sheehan, was two down through the ninth but Hyde took him down the 18th before coming up with the goods.

Dick Bokenham who received one shot against Brian Collins lost one down on the 18th.

Dave Blackmore, who received two shots from Mick Prewer, lost out 2&1 on the 17th, while Tom Rothery, giving two shots, to John Lambert also lost out one down.

Four of the first five matches went down the last with Colchester narrowly losing out by one hole on three of them.

The bad news for Colchester continued with Bill Eke, who was giving seven shots to Jim Bance, went down 6&4 and Vic Pomphrett, giving four shots to Trevor Collett, took his man to the 17th before losing 3&1.

All too late Dave Humberstone beat Steve Burford, again on the 18th, by two holes up and John Waterson beat Keith McMullon 3&1. To complete the matches Chris Doyle and John Dornan lost out to Ron Firmin and Chris Kelly but by this time Colchester’s fate had been sealed.

It was not all bad news for the Colchester as the ladies’ Mail On Sunday team had a good 3-2 win over Colne Valley to progress to the fourth round.

Helen Tartellin, giving six shots and going out first, had a tough match against Cynthia Hollingsworth, finally succumbing on the 17th 2&1.

Sally Ann Angel, giving three shots, overcame Karen Charles 6&4 and Heather Dennis, giving one shot, found too much sand for her liking to go down 2&1 against Angela Waite.

Cassie Cunningham went out last and, giving eight shots, played brilliantly to beat Amanda Rollings 6&5 leaving Maureen Devenish, who was giving two shots to Celia Larkham, to complete the team’s victory with a 2&1 win.

The presentation of the Men’s Winter League Cup took place during the Men’s Supper. The winners, twins Ben and Joe Williams, accepted the trophy from Essex cricketer Graham Napier.

They had earlier beaten Jim Wilkinson and Ian Devenish in a tight final 3&1 on the 17th hole.

Catherine Chick took the honours in the ladies’ stableford with 38 points beating Judith Robertson after a countback.

Next up with 35 points was Maureen Devenish while fourth place went to Beverley Parker on 31.

In the men’s stableford, Steve Jennings returned a very impressive 40 points, two points clear of second-placed Bill Hart.