TEAM Colne Valley earned a well-deserved 5-3 away victory on their first outing of 2017 at Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club. Captain Gary Beck and vice-captain Andy Wilkinson led the team out but were beaten 4&3 and Valley’s first point of the day come from Matt Holbrook & Roger Cook, who won one up after winning the last three holes.

Stuart Hurst and Russ Bell were on the wrong side of a 4&3 result, but 5&3 wins for Peter Ragus and Ray Dalton followed by Brian Amos and Stuart Collingridge left Valley in a strong position.

Tom Murton and Alex Grimshaw lost a close match on the last, but the teams of Bruce Critchley and Phil Reeve and Iain Levy and Ian Hammond secured the winning points with 3&2 wins apiece.

The winter league knockout round of 16 was completed.

Paul Davies and Tom Bowles saw off a late fight from Simon Gugacz and Matt Holbrook as birdies on 16 and 17 by Holbrook weren’t enough to prevent a two-up victory.

The same margin saw Stuart Hurst and John Poulson edge past Alister and Jonathan Bailey, while there was a heavy defeat for Stuart Collingridge and Brian Amos as they went down 6&5 to Gary Beck and Martin Rackley.

Ray Dalton and Neil Dodge progressed after beating Bruce Critchley and Phil Reeve.

Saturday’s men’s stableford was won by Steve Potter with 38 points, with Alister Bailey second with 37 and Andy Carter third on 36.

The junior qualifying stableford saw Micah Blowers ease to victory on 37 points.

Second place went to Bradley Cattermole with 34 points and Tom Mead was third with 31.