LAST year's winners Clive Howarth and Geoff Allen looked set for victory again in the closing competition of the season at Turton.

They had the best score of the morning round and several of the fancied afternoon pairings were unable to match their score until lan Wilbur, having his best game for more than a year, and Harry Ainscough just managed to pip them by a point thanks to an excellent birdie at the last hole by 76-year-old Harry.

It was a close run affair between the two leading pairings in the mixed foursome as they left the rest of the field in their wake. In the end it was the half difference in the handicap of Jeff Hibbert and Christine Seatree (25) from Mike Parr and Wendy Carley (24.5) which decided the result.

Great Lever and Farnworth junior team continued their excellent season by winning the Sunday Telegraph North West Championships at Mere.

They qualified as BGA title winners and pipped Shaw Hill for the title by one shot with Bury a distant third.

The team comprised Ian Marks, Sarah Woods, Gareth Foulkes, John Ralphs, Leon Mawson and Ben Killey. The four best nett scores and one best gross counted as Great Lever totalled 360.

Great Lever are now through to the England final on October 21 at Brockett Hall, Hertfordshire. Winners from the 10 teams will represent England in the home counties final at La Manga, Spain.

The final BGA competition of the year is drawing to an exciting climax having reached the semi-final stage of the Jack Taylor Trophy.

In the last round wins went to Horwich over Bolton 4-1, Dunscar 3-1 over Regent Park, Harwood 3-2 over Deane and Hindley Hall 3-1 over Westhoughton.

The semi-finals, scheduled for October 20, feature Horwich against Dunscar and Harwood against Hindley. The final will be held on November 3 at Old Links starting at 10.30am.

The annual challenge clash between the BGA and the team champions Deane will take place at 11am on Sunday over the Ladybridge course.

Club results: DUNSCAR Singles stableford: David Shovelton 37pts, Ian Howard 36. Div Two: Paul Read 34, Phil Spencer 33. Div Three: David Cole 42, Ian Legall 39.

DEANE Ladies - Pacy Trophy: Ann Higham 74. Slee Plate: Carmel Hamer 71 Autumn meeting: Zoe Brookes Div One: 70 Div Two: Edna Barlow 65 Div Three; Margaret Surtton 86. Bogey: Jane Martindale plus 4. LGU pendant: Pat Jones 67 Foursomes: Lesley Wood & Audrey Talbot 66. Anderton Cup: Norma Mills beat Ann Higham on 19th hole. Club KO: Judith Atkinson bt Higham 2up.

Closing Day Stableford (Ray Gibson Trophies): 45 pts -- I A Wilbur & H M Ainscough; 44 pts -- C J Howarth & G Allen, A Ramwell & J Barlow; 43 pts -- J Batigan & J Fearnley, J Ridgley & D Fletcher; 42 pts -- K Cook & J B Holt, R Taylor & N A McLachlan, A Gittins & D Waddicar, M Perry & M Burtonwood.

Mixed Closing Day Foursome Medal: 67 -- J Hibbert & Ms C Seatree; 67.5 -- M H Parr & Mrs W Carley; 70.5 -- J B Holt & Mrs G C Bamping; 71 -- S Brawn & Mrs J Ogden; 71.5 -- C R Carley & Mrs A I Perks.