STEVE Bourne and Clive Merry set the early standard to win the Bransford senior pairs better-ball open.

Forty-four duos competed with more than 20 golf clubs from around the Midlands involved.

There was a short delay due to mist but the hosts’ Bourne (14 handicap) and Merry (13) scored 46 points.

The target proved beyond the rest although another 11 pairs managed 40 or more.

The Bransford duos of Trevor Atkinson (14) and Pete Sheppard (14) and Phil Spencer (23) and Andy Lamb (26) both finished on 45.

Atherstone’s Peter Gilliver (13) and Robert Broadhurst (12) were best visitors on 44 and Bransford’s John Phillips (22) and Roy Williams (21) were level with them.

Brian Corfield (Bransford) and Colin Smith (Boughton Park) and Bransford’s Rob Blake and Roy Burston scored 43 and Harvington’s John Colvin and Dave French totalled 42.

On 40 were Ted Buckett and Neil Sheldon of Bransford, Terry Lawson and Tom Hill from Hollywood and Cocks Moor Wood, Richard Steele and Phil Brown from Bransford and Sapey and Tony Addington and Paul Bridgewater of Little Lakes.

Nearest the pin winners were two Bransford members, Steele for 0-15 handicaps and Buckett 16 to 20, while Harvington’s French won in the 21-28 section. Joint organisers were Atkinson and Harry Godwin.

Buckett will be a new name on the seniors’ autumn salver with his handicap now cut to 18. He made light of drizzly conditions to lead by just one shot in the medal.

Buckett scored 87 gross 19 handicap 68 nett, Lee Dyment 88-19=69, Bill Bowen 93-22=71, Mike Davidge 88-17=71, June Atkinson 93-20=73 and Gerry Rebbeck 89-15=74.