Thorpe Hall's bid to reach the final of the Essex Scratch League competition ended when they were beaten at Ilford by Channels in the semis.

Channels now go on to meet West Essex in the final, being staged at Thorpe Hall on Sunday.

Thorpe went down 3-2 in a closely-fought match which reached its climax when Thorpe's Gavin Bates took on Craig Housden in a clash which went to the 18th green.

The other four games finished at earlier holes with two wins to each side.

Housden, having clawed his way back into the game from a two-hole deficit, managed to win at the last to see Channells through to the final.

Scores (Channels): A Everitt lost 3 and 2 to W Preedy; R Wilson beat S Hoes 6 and 4; C Housden beat G Bates 1 up; S Larner beat A Andrews 3 and 2; P Bramley lost 4 and 3 to S Johnson.

Elsewhere at Thorpe, the Ladies Silver Division October medal went to Betty Austin (13) with a net 68. Anna Leslie, who plays off 19, was runner-up on 71.

Janet Ventries (38) 68 won the Bronze Division. MaryAnn Perry (21) 76 was runner-up on countback from Betty West (36). Fourth came Alison Cotgrove (23) 79.

At Belfairs Ladies Autumn Meeting there was an 18-hole medal and putting competition with a good turnout in reasonable weather.

Ms S Marshall was overall winner (104-31=73) and the putting competition went to Mrs R Barber (29 putts).

Senior competition winner was Mrs Barber (19) 74 on countback from Mrs H Lovett (13). Mrs J Smith (12) 79 was third.

Ms Marshall took the Junior event from Mrs D Wildsmith (31) 77 and Mrs J Clark (33) 81.

The afternoon Stableford in threes, with the best two scores to count, went to Mrs A Meddle, Mrs J Smith and Mrs T Askins on 31 points.

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