There was home delight for the Essex Golf and Country Club’s seniors as they hosted their sister club Benton Hall for a friendly match.

In a closely-fought encounter, the Essex men squeezed out a 4½-3½ win over their guests, with nearest the pin prizes on the par three fifth going to the Essex’s Brian Arscott and Benton Hall’s Michael Meade.

In a parallel qualifying stableford 20 Essex seniors competed for honours.

In third, with 39 points was Michael Goodman, who saw his handicap cut from 20 to 19, while there was also a handicap trim from 24 to 23 for second-placed Charles Gregg after he had 40 points.

The winner, with 41points was 18-handicapper David Wilkinson, who is now playing off 17 and also won nearest the pin on the 11th.