TWENTY-TWO pairs contested the penultimate qualifying round of Maldon Golf Club’s second qualifying Ben Volta Winter League.

This week’s format was an aggregate stableford competition played off full Winter League handicap.

Despite the heavy rain at the end of the week, the greens staff had managed to get the course more than playable for Sunday’s competition.

The cold, breezy conditions proved testing for many and, with only one emergency hole in use, the course was playing long on 16 of the 18 holes.

Winners this week with a fine aggregate score of 72 points were Nick Rushen and Ricky Todd.

Second, with 69, were Steve Gearey and Mick Kempen, while Pete Hawkins and Martyn Cook took third place on countback with 68.

Fourth, also on 68, were Matt Pepper and Paul Shires while Chris Purkiss and Pete Scanes took fifth place with 67.

The nearest-the-pin prizes went to Dave Poynton on the par three fifth/14th hole and to Mick Kempen for the closest second shot to the pin on the par four sixth/15th.

With only one qualifying round to be played, four pairs remain in with a chance of capturing the second league title, thereby qualifying for the knockout final on March 20.

Currently in first place are Kempen and Gearey on 118 points, second are League One winners Pete Hawkins and Martyn Cook on 116, just ahead on countback from Lenny Blagden and Ian Ladkin.

Fourth place is held by Billy Mason and Marley Read on 111 points and any one of these four pairs could capture the second league title if results go their way next Sunday.