CONTRARY to the weather forecast, it was mainly fine but very breezy for the closing day fourball stableford, for the Ray Gibson Trophies, at Turton, on Saturday.

The early players caught a few showers, but the wind only increased late in the morning with strong gusts. There were a lot of excellent returns in the testing conditions mainly due to the continuing good condition of the greens, although, surprisingly, most of the scoring was achieved on the more difficult and longer back nine.

Three partnerships managed 47 points with the honours going to Roy Gaitskell and Ian Smith, who were first out in the morning. Captain, Nigel Wood, and Andrew Foy looked likely to beat it until they failed to score at the 17th.

The following day the weather was completely different for the mixed closing foursome medal. The wind had dropped but there were ominous signs as the lady captain drove at the first with the first spots of rain. The worst of the rain held off for a time but everyone finished soaking wet. Graham Wright and the ever-improving Janet Hewitt ran away from the rest of the field to record a score more fitting for a summer's day.

Ray Gibson Trophies (4BBBB Stableford) - 47pts: R.Gaitskell & I.A.Smith; N McLachlan & C.Lavelle; A Foy & N Wood. 46pts: A Pollitt & A.Tavener. 45pts: L Janicki & J Price; W Pendlebury & A Pumford. 44pts: C.Hounslea & J.P.Hounslea. 43 pts: M Greenhouse & D Stuart; A Wood & G Wright.

Mixed Foursome Medal: 67.5-G.C.Wright & Mrs J.S.Hewitt, 71.5-J.Baxter & Mrs C.Gobin, 72.5-M.J.Duxbury & Mrs D.Vines, 73.5-M.J.McNeill & Mrs J.Baxter, 74.5-E.J.Saul & Mrs C.H.Holt; T.Lythgoe & Mrs M.Smith; S.Brawn & Mrs J.Bowden.

DEANE

Greensome: Barbara Cragg & Christine Ainsworth 99-29.4-69.6, Audrey Talbot & Maureen Farrell 92-21.6-70.4.

CONTRARY to the weather forecast, it was mainly fine but very breezy for the closing day fourball stableford, for the Ray Gibson Trophies at Turton on Saturday.

The early players caught a few showers, but the wind only increased late in the morning with strong gusts. There were a lot of excellent returns in the testing conditions mainly due to the continuing good condition of the greens, although, surprisingly, most of the scoring was achieved on the more difficult and longer back nine.

Three partnerships managed 47 points with the honours going to Roy Gaitskell and Ian Smith, who were first out in the morning. Captain, Nigel Wood, and Andrew Foy looked likely to beat it until they failed to score at the 17th.

The following day the weather was completely different for the mixed closing foursome medal. The wind had dropped but there were ominous signs as the lady captain drove at the first with the first spots of rain. The worst of the rain held off for a time but everyone finished soaking wet. Graham Wright and the ever-improving Janet Hewitt ran away from the rest of the field to record a score more fitting for a summer's day.

Ray Gibson Trophies (4BBBB Stableford) -- 47pts: R.Gaitskell & I.A.Smith; N McLachlan & C.Lavelle; A Foy & N Wood. 46pts: A Pollitt & A.Tavener. 45pts: L Janicki & J Price; W Pendlebury & A Pumford. 44pts: C.Hounslea & J.P.Hounslea. 43 pts: M Greenhouse & D Stuart; A Wood & G Wright.

Mixed Foursome Medal: 67.5-G.C.Wright & Mrs J.S.Hewitt, 71.5-J.Baxter & Mrs C.Gobin, 72.5-M.J.Duxbury & Mrs D.Vines, 73.5-M.J.McNeill & Mrs J.Baxter, 74.5-E.J.Saul & Mrs C.H.Holt; T.Lythgoe & Mrs M.Smith; S.Brawn & Mrs J.Bowden.

DEANE

Greensome: Barbara Cragg & Christine Ainsworth 99-29.4-69.6, Audrey Talbot & Maureen Farrell 92-21.6-70.4.