JOHN Bradford is certainly the man of the moment at Braintree Golf Club.

The 25-year-old, playing off plus-two, shot a course record-equalling 64, six under par, to win the Midweek Stableford.

His 40 points saw him finish five ahead of David Hammersley (13), with Patrick Crowley (21) edging out Brian Blackwell (16) on countback for third, both with 31.

Then Bradford came close in Sunday’s Rose Bowl Order of Merit event with 38 points.

But that was only good enough for sixth place.

James Hardy, playing off 11, won the event with 41 points, finishing two clear of a group if four players.

After a countback, Stephen Allen (11) finished second ahead of Frank Ladkin (19), Thomas McGee (5) and Peter Rigby (5).

The ladies’ Ping fourball betterball event in midweek was won by Melinda Atkinson (12) and Cyd Rodford (18) with 46 points.

In a closely fought event Caroline Fields (16) and Carol Mehrer (20) were second with 45, Eva Kajsa Bolland (19) and Tricia Stallwood (24) finished third with 44 and Sue Halls (20) and Susan Twyford (27) were fourth with 43.

Meanwhile, Braintree’s youngsters went down 3-2 in an Essex Youth Shield match at Colne Valley in a battle between two of the leading three clubs in the group.

Both clubs have two group matches left.