Torrington clinch North Devon Golf League title

07:00 - 24-July-2008

TORRINGTON are the champions of the North Devon Golf League after getting the points they needed in the final two rounds.

A fourth in round five at Portmore was followed by a third in the last round at Libbaton, but Torrie had earlier opened enough of a gap to seal the Division 1 title.

They have won it by nine-and-a-half points from Libbaton, who won their home round largely thanks to Jason Middleton's 40 points.

In the round at Portmore, Torrington's Mike McLeod was the star individual performer with 34 points.

Things are a lot closer in Group B of the North Devon Veterans' League ahead of the final round at Libbaton on August 1.

Billy Bowles' 35 points inspired Royal North Devon to a win in their home round, and they now share top spot on 18 points with Portmore and Torrington.

Meanwhile, the final of the 2008 North Devon Rosebowl will be contested between Torrington and Royal North Devon.

Torrie made it through thanks to a narrow 3-2 defeat of Willingcott Valley in the semi-finals, while RND overcame Libbaton 4-1.

It was all looking relatively simple for Willingcott at Westward Ho! as the halfway stage approached – they were 3up in the first and fourth matches, and 2up in the last match.

But Torrie's fighting spirit shone and everything came down to the last green, where Gary Petherbridge and Peter Sturman won 2up.

In the other semi, Libbaton were up in four matches at the halfway stage, but also surrendered to RND at Willingcott Valley.

North Devon League

Round 5: 1 Portmore 158pts, 2 Saunton Artisans 145pts, 3 Ilfracombe 145pts, 4 Torrington 144pts, 5 Saunton 140pts, 6 Libbaton 136pts.

Round 6: 1 Libbaton 178pts, 2 Saunton Artisans 158pts, 3 Torrington 156pts, 4 Saunton 154pts, 5 Portmore 153pts, 6 Ilfracombe 151pts.

Final standings: 1 Torrington 31pts, 2 Libbaton 21.5pts, 3 Portmore 19pts, 4 Ilfracombe 19pts, 5 Saunton Artisans 18pts, 6 Saunton 17.5pts.

ND Veterans League

Round 3: 1 Royal North Devon 159pts, 2 Portmore 143pts, 3 Torrington 139pts, 4 Libbaton 136pts.

North Devon Rosebowl

Semi-finals: Torrington 3, Willingcott Valley 2 (P Stevenson & M Hill lost to M White & B Buller 4&3; R Greenslade & P Wheeler beat P Fry & M Sayer 3&2; M Coles & M McLeod beat N Pring & C McClure 2&1; S Wilkes & I Tossell lost to S Buller & T Barter 4&3; G Petherbridge & P Sturman beat G Holland & R Challacombe 2up).

Royal North Devon 4, Libbaton 1 (T Coates & J Mullen beat S Herniman & P Short on the 20th; J Mounce & B Southern beat R Screech & B Stevens 1up; C McCarthy & N Keen lost to J Shapland & R Barker 4&3; O Tawton & B Keen beat J Middleton & S Raymont 1up; R Hughes & P Griffin beat C Drew & M Turner 2&1).

Libbaton

Results: Charity Day: Men: 1 Alan Payne (Saunton) 37pts, 2 Andrew Tucker (Libbaton) 36pts on countback from Jeremy Shapland (Libbaton), 4 Jason Middleton (Libbaton) 35pts. Seniors: 1 Les Croft 39pts on countback from Denis Pearce, 3 Tom Donaghy 38pts, 4 Brian Rice 37pts. Ladies: 1 Sandra Rabbetts 37pts, 2 Yvonne James 36pts, 3 Pauline Wilsmore 34pts on countback from Carol Bedford. Juniors: 1 Peter Short 42pts, 2 Dan Middleton 37pts, 3 Ben Isaac 36pts on countback from Sam Raymont.

Men's Stableford. Division 1: 1 Andrew Tucker 47pts, 2 David Vellacott 39pts, 3 Terry Angell 37pts on countback. Division 2: 1 Nick Squire 40pts, 2 Mike Seviour 39pts, 3 Barrie Spencer 38pts.

Ladies' Angela's Cup. Overall: 1 Hilary Shaer 68. Division 1: 1 Wendy Spencer 73, 2 Margaret Whittaker 75, 3 Brenda O'Brien 77. Division 2: 1 Ann Holbrook 75, 2 Yvonne James 76, 3 Marj Brough 78. Division 3: 1 Hilary Shaer 68, 2 Margaret Li 74, 3 Linda Stride 82.

Men's Captains Day: 1 John Howes, Darren Howes & Keith Blake 123pts, 2 Tim Lamude, Martin Phillips & Gerald Herniman 121pts on countback from Ron Bedford, Brian Rice & Andy Fenge and Gordon Brown, Derek Mott & Keith Scott.

Adult & Junior Open: 1 Sam Raymont & Andrew Tucker 50pts, 2 Dan Middleton & Jason Middleton 49pts, 3 Peter Short & Nick Squires 47pts.

O50s Mixed Open: 1 Marj Brough & Tim Curtis 44pts, 2 Cynthia Todd & Tom Donaghy 42pts, 3 Wendy Herniman & Gerald Herniman 41pts on countback from Valerie Symons & Terry Angell.

Ladies' Captains Day: 1 Brenda O'Brien, Margaret Li & Shirla Strachan 78pts, 2 Mary Martin, Lucy Leatham & Rachel Phillips 76pts on countback from Sally Evans, Angela Baker & Hilary Shaer.

Seniors' Medal. Division 1: 1 Peter Martin 70, 2 John Howes 72, 3 Paul Li 73. Division 2: 1 Henry Joynson 71, 2 Paul Canning 72, 3 Kevin Stride 76.

Ladies' 6th LGU Medal. Division 1: 1 Suzanne Johnson 71, 2 Valerie Symons 74, 3 Sally Evans 75. Division 2: 1 Sandra Rabbetts 73, 2 Jean Rockall 76, 3 Angela Baker 79. Division 3: 1 Carol Bedford 74, 2 Margaret Li 76 on countback from Cathy Freeman.

Seniors' Bernard Smith Trophy: 1 Michael Martin 38pts, 2 Henry Joynson 36pts on countback from Andy Alford and Nobby Wheatley.

Saunton

MARTIN FRENCH struck a fine sand wedge to achieve a hole in one on the 5th at Saunton's east course, during the club's Monthly Stableford off the blue tees.

Results: Pro Day (blue tees, east course): 1 Steve Souter (9) 40pts on countback from Kevin Rowe (13), 3 Alan Payne (7) 37pts, 4 Peter Besnard (13) 36pts on countback from Stan Hatch (10), 6 Chris Norman (6) 35pts on countback from John Venn (15) and Dave Kershaw (18).

Pro Day (yellow tees, west course): 1 Ben Ford (20) 38pts, 2 Simon Tanner (16) 37pts on countback from Jo Mason (20) and Dennis Peacock (15).

Pro Day (ladies, west course): 1 Stephanie Bristow (17) 38pts, 2 Alison Down (6) 37pts, 3 Amanda Mayne (3) 36pts on countback from Jayne Morgan (21), 5 Ilene Allan (12) 34pts on countback from Monica Carr (17) and Jackie Aitken (16), 8 Kathy Young (12) 33pts.

Open Mixed Greensomes (east course): 1 Chris Brookes & Julie Middle (Saunton) 40pts, 2 John & Carol Venn (Saunton) 37pts, 3 Glyn & Jackie Aitken (Saunton) 35pts, 4 Richard & Barbara Beer (Saunton) 34pts on countback from Danny & Anne Wallace (Saunton), Colin & Dana Smale (Saunton) and Graham Jones & Alison Down (Saunton).

July Medal (Goldwater Salver). Division 1: 1 Luke Squire 74 on countback from Ralph Goss. Division 2: 1 Kelvin Wills (19) 76, 2 Philip Stanier 79.

Yellow Tee Stableford (west course). Division 1: 1 David Turner (13) 39pts, 2 David Hunter (13) 37pts, 3 Ernie Davies (15) 36pts on countback. Division 2: 1 Adrian Granville-Smith (16) 37pts on countback from John Bracher (16) and John Dingle (17).

Monthly Stableford (east course, blue tees). Division 1: 1 Mack Swift (11) 37pts, 2 Ben Waterfall (9) 34pts on countback from John MacNamaca (11), 4 Eddie Lintott (9) 32pts. Division 2: 1 Steve Gowing (19) 34pts, 2 Steve Harris (17) 30pts, 3 Richard Copp (20) 28pts on countback from Dave Copp (17).

Torrington

Results: Ladies' Stableford. Division 1: 1 Rosemary Smith (20) 36pts, 2 Sahara Barton (22) 35pts on countback from Rosemary Ferguson (15). Division 2: 1 Mary Harper (36) 39pts, 2 Rita Southcott (30) 32pts, 3 Rita Dewdney (33) 28pts on countback.

Puffing Billy Greensome: 1 Peter Sturman & Bob Barter 45pts on countback from Paul Adams & Dave Blanche and Graham Moore & Ian Tossell.

Medal B. Division 1: 1 Steve Slade (12) 64, 2 Billy Campbell (12) 65 on countback from Dave Blanche (12). Division 2: 1 Robert Elliott (24) 63, 2 Laurie Fishleigh (22) 64, 3 Ken Harris (20) 65.

Stableford A. Division 1: 1 Paul Boden (10) 39pts, 2 Leighton Blight (14) 38pts on countback from Rex Chamberlain (13). Division 2: 1 Colin White (20) 37pts, 2 Doug Smalldon (20) 35pts, 3 Andrew Rickard (28) 33pts.

Holsworthy

HOLSWORTHY are in the driving seat ahead of their Emerton Court semi-final second leg after beating East Devon 3-2.

Reaching the semi-finals is the club's highest accomplishment in 17 years, and veterans' captain Eric Lake will be hoping they can go even better in the return encounter.

Results: Medal: 1 Ryan Acres 64, 2 Tony Moore 65, 3 Henry Kirkwood 67, 4 Anthony McGeorge 68, 5 Dan Andrews 69 on countback from Richard Smith.

Emerton Court (semi-final, first leg): Alan Abrams & Ray Holness lost 4&3; Brian Hayes & Brian Poynton lost 3&2; John Barnes & John Westaway won 5&4; Bill Thompson & Reg Daniel won 1 up).

Holsworthy Veterans 6, Trethorne Veterans 2 (Eric Lake & Colin Walmsley lost 2 down; Tony Tomassi & Alan Richardson won 2up; Tony Downing & Bob Gelder won 2up; Brian Bowler & Dave Voller lost 4&3; Chris Woolley & Roger Turner won 5&4; Ian Hemmings & Alan Seddon won 5&3; John Plumstead & Jim Bearham won 2up; Tony Marshall & Ken McGeorge won 5&4).

Veterans' Stableford. Division 1: 1 John Williams 38pts, 2 Brian Poynton 37pts on countback from Ray Holness, 4 Alan Richardson 36pts on countback from Alan Saunders. Division 2: 1 Bob Gelder 42pts, 2 Bob Bentham 39pts on countback from Roger Turner, Danny Daly & Peter Hoyland. Ladies: 1 Barbara Abrams 34pts.

Captain's Day. Men's Trophy: 1 James Mayne 43pts, 2 Shamus Martin 40pts on countback from Dave Wilcox, 4 Chris Clements 39pts on countback from Brian Poynton, Tony Houghton and Ian Lorraine. Juniors: 1 Shamus Martin 40pts, 2 George Shepherd 37pts, 3 Ryan Acres 34pts. Ladies: 1 Carol Baker 39pts, 3 Betty Byrne 36pts, 3 Paula Mansfield 34pts.

Willingcott Valley

TERRY BOWDEN, Chris McClure, Paul Nott and Jim Pilbrow successfully defended their Pat Bailey Rosebowl Charity Day title.

The quartet scored 56.8 to edge out Nigel Pring, Bruce Bwye, Darren Isaac and Ian Mcleod by just 0.1.

The annual competition is held in memory of the club's inaugural ladies' captain, and it raised £1020 for Cancer Research UK.

The club's ladies, meanwhile, have had two great results in the North Devon Friendly League, beating RND 4-3 and Holsworthy 5-2.

They followed up their first two league wins with a draw against Libbaton in a friendly.

Results: Pat Bailey Rosebowl: 1 Terry Bowden, Chris McClure, Paul Nott & Jim Pilbrow 56.8, 2 Nigel Pring, Bruce Bwye, Darren Isaac & Ian Mcleod 56.9, 3 Matt White, Barry Buller, Sean Buller & George Holland 58.4. Guests: 1 Ken Moody, Lyn McKenzie, Frank Painting & Millie Painting.

Royal North Devon

Results: Foster Cup (RNLI Spoon). Division 1: 1 Chris McCarthy 68 on countback from David Copp and Alan McKnight, 4 John Evans 69 on countback from David Birch. Division 2: 1 Peter Wilson 65, 2 Cliff Parr 66 on countback from David Brown and Chris Brown, 5 Phillip Jackson 70.

MacMillan Golf Day: 1 Billy Bowles, Ken Danson, Derek Fogarty & David Pennington 94pts on countback from Kenny Braund, Gerald Lee, Rob Ley & Norman Stevens and Tim Coates, Shaun Loze, Ossie Patt & Jamie Peackock, 4 Richard Cadd, Alan Goddard, Alan Hopkins & Charlie Smith 92pts, 5 Robin Butcher, Joe Higgins, Jim Hoskings & Alex Waterson 91pts.

Three-ball team competition: 1 Dave Copp, Wex Cox & John Mounce 87pts, 2 Hugh Bone, Kevin Caris & Trevor Stanbury 84pts, 3 Gareth Carder, Hilton Cole & Colin Payne 83pts, 4 Angela Harman, David Harman & Brian Gilbert 82pts.

Portmore

TOM SCOURFIELD hit a hole-in-one on Portmore's Barum course, acing the 170-yard par 3 16th.

Results: Saturday Stableford. Division 1: 1 Ed Jenkins (4) 39pts, 2 Nick Thorne (11) 38pts on countback from John Smaldon (16). Division 2: 1 Terry Sloman (21) 38pts, 2 Alan Baker (24) 34pts, 3 Darren Sargent (21) 33pts. Ladies: 1 Barbara Wears (35) 38pts, 2 Pauline Down (36) 33pts. Juniors: 1 James Poole (32) 41pts.

Tuesday Stableford: 1 Paul Blake (12) 38pts on countback from Richard Mallabone (11), 3 Mitchell Wood 37pts. Ladies: 1 Karen Thomas (23) 33pts, 2 Janice Sweetman (29) 26pts. Juniors: 1 Sam Southon (26) 34pts.

Seniors' Waltz: 1 Reg Lawrence, Tim Ayles & Dave Cawthorne 77pts, 2 Bob Lewenden, Pete Arnold & Brian Dallyn 74pts.

Supper Blind Pairs: 1 Alan Hopkins & Angela McKnight 37pts, 2 Pauline Down & Mike McManus 33pts, 3 Brian Lawrence & Julie Quilter 26pts.

Ilfracombe

DEREK CROOKES-WEST shot a hole-in-one on the par three 4th at Ilfracombe.

Results: Bernard Memorial Stableford: 1 S Foreman 43pts, 2 M Whale 42pts, 3 R Fleming 41pts.

Percy Corke Scratch Stableford: 1 I Spear 33pts, 2 B Gilbert 32pts, 3 I Williams 31pts.

Thursday Stableford. Division 1: 1 D Whalley 43pts on countback from M Clatworthy, 3 R Tossell 40pts. Division 2: 1 C Emery 45pts, 2 K Gray 41pts, 3 S Dovell 39pts.

Sponsored Open 4BBB Medal. Handicap: 1 W Brayley & C Ward 59, 2 Janice Christmas & Gill Woodward 61, 3 N Cox & D Sutherland 61. Gross: 1 P Richards & S Calvert 61. Ladies' gross: 1 Jo Smith & Jean Wills 78. Best mixed: Alan & Nora Rowlands 65. Best visitors D Cowler & J Barnard (East Devon) 66. Longest Drive: Men - S Calvert. Ladies - G Hayes. Nearest the pin: S Darke (2nd); S Jago (3rd); J Rich (4th); Matt Wells (6th); N Langmead (16th); K Sharman (18th). 17th in two: I Laycock.

Veterans' Three Sixes Stableford: 1 D Crookes-West, T Maddock & S Robinson 89pts, 2 T Willis, B Pearce & A Rowlands 85pts.

Veterans' Individual Stableford: 1 A Weller 37pts on countback from T Stanley, 3 G Christmas 36pts.

Ladies' Invitation Day: 1 Barbara Clatworthy, Sylvia Warwick (Saunton), Judy Keyworth & Sally Hollingsworth (RND) 88pts, 2 Linda Barrington, Joy Praill, Janet Pollard & Karen Hough (Torquay) 87pts, 3 Ali Balcombe, Sandra Townsley (Fingle Glen), Jean Ede & Sally Balchin (Teign Valley) 86 on countback from Nora Rowlands, Millie Painting, Moira Styles & Ineka Van Der Hoost (Willingcott Valley), 5 Sue Wright, Pip Summers, Trisha Woodyer & Diana Strickland (Saunton). Nearest the pin: Millie Painting. Nearest in two: Sally Balchin.

Highbullen

Results: Men's Weekly Stableford: 1 Bill Warnett (22) 38pts on countback from Viv Haigh (27).

Nine & Dine: 1 Charles Stanbury (28) 19pts, 2 Viv Haigh (27) 18pts.

Captain's Challenge Stableford: 1 Diane Lang 41pts, 2 Sue Bastiaenen 30pts.

July Stableford: 1 Christopher Jeyes (24) 33pts on countback from Tony Morrish (12).

Mortehoe & Woolacombe

Results: Ladies' July Medal. Division 1: 1 P Richardson (20) 63, 2 J Rendle (25) 73. Division 2: 1 P Smith (35) 76, 2 E Dennis (36) 83.

Ladies' July Stableford. Division 1: 1 P Jennings-Potts (31) 33pts, 2 P Richardson (19) 31pts. Division 2: 1 E Dennis (36) 26pts, 2 S Collard (36) 23pts.

Ladies' Ace of Clubs Shield: 1 P Smith (35) 32pts, 2 J Rendle (25) 28pts.