BRAINTREE Golf Club's Thornton Cup team advanced to the quarter-finals of the Essex competition with a 9½-5½ victory at local rivals Gosfield Lake.

A strong performance in the morning foursomes saw Braintree take a 4-1 lead, with wins for Paul Buchan and Matt Sanders, Ed Fullalove and Martin Hawes, Callum Pipe and James Hedger and Tom McGee and Tony Craven.

Strong winds made conditions difficult in the afternoon singles but wins for Sanders, Fullalove, Hawes, Pipe and Hedger saw Braintree home.

Fullalove, home from college in the US, was particularly impressive in his 7&5 victory.

In the quarter-finals Braintree will play multiple winners Chelmsford at Boyce Hill on July 16.

Meanwhile, the Braintree ladies' Bronze team, under the captaincy of Caroline Fields and composed of Carol Cuthbertson, Mavis Ackerman, Sue Scott, Amanda Palfreyman-Jones, Bridget Couch, Carolyn Harris and Sue Snell romped to a 7-0 win over Ilford at Stisted.

However, Ann Snow and her Silver team were beaten 3-2 at the Essex.

Philip Hawkes amassed 41 stableford points to win the men’s Rose Bowl in soaring temperatures at Stisted.

Playing off a 17 handicap, he finished a point ahead of runner-up John Coules (19), with Kristian Fulljames (19) third on 39.

The men’s midweek Stableford saw Charlie Nibbs (3) win with 33 points, one better than Brian Blackwell (19) with Michael Steen (14) third on 31.

The ladies’ midweek Stableford resulted in a countback on 36 points with Jennifer Day (25) gaining the verdict over Eva Kajsa Bolland (22).

Third place was also decided on countback on 34, with Margaret Margetts (25) edging out Marlene Wilson (21).