Horwich Golf Club are BGA league champions for only the second time in their history.

After one of the most tightly contested championships for many years, they secured a 5-3 win at Regent Park in their last match to overhaul Dunscar at the top.

However, they still had to wait for the result of the Deane versus Chorley match two days later when a 5-3 win would have given Chorley the title.

Chorley went down 5-3 and Horwich were champions 43 years after their first title success in 1961.

Club captain Keith Ashton said: "This has been a magnificent achievement.

"We have always been hard to beat at home, but this year we had some good away wins and only conceded 9.5 games out of 48 at home."

Runners-up were Dunscar, who made a late challenge, and Bolton, who had led the league for the majority of the season, faltered in their last two matches losing to both Chorley and Hindley.

Breightmet also had a creditable season finishing fifth, while reigning champions Hindley, who were still in contention with three matches to go, lacked the final punch.

Soon to be the only nine-hole course left in the BGA, Horwich will be presented with the trophy at the BGA annual dinner on September 24.