THE seniors of the Essex Golf and Country Club hold the early advantage after the first leg of their annual Triangular Tournament against Benton Hall and Three Rivers.

It is only a slender lead, though.

They scored 317 points to be winners on the day by just one point on their home course, with Three Rivers second with 316 and Benton Hall third on 301.

Nearest the pin on the seventh hole was Keith Avery.

There was also a parallel stableford competition at the Essex in which Michael Goodman won with 35 points and Keith Harris was second with 32.

Meanwhile, Essex senior John Tuffen handed over a cheque for £3,044 to Little Havens Hospice, the chosen charity of Essex seniors captain David Lord this year, after trekking 110 miles over seven days across the West Highland Way.

Tuffen, who is from Earls Colne, had been bidding to raise more than £2,500, but easily surpassed that target with his efforts.

He said: “What kept me going was the thought of all the amazing support that people who were sponsoring me were giving to Little Havens, and what that means for the children and families the hospice cares for.”