THE final round of Maldon Golf Club’s second qualifying winter league for the Ben Volta Trophies took place on Sunday.

The final week’s format was a betterball stableford played off three-quarters handicap.

Any one of four pairs was still in with a chance of claiming the second league title and thereby the chance of a head-to-head knockout final against League One winners Pete Hawkins and Martyn Cook.

However, Hawkins and Cook were one of those top four pairs and by securing fourth place in the final day’s competition with 39 points, they also claimed victory in the second qualifying league and therefore the overall Ben Volta Winter League title without the need for head-to-head knockout final.

With the final week’s competition being played off the championship tees, the course was playing its full length. This, coupled with the slightly heavy ground conditions, meant many pairs found the going tough. Nevertheless, several excellent scores were returned.

Results: 1 Alan Buckingham (9) & Sam Cummins (7) 41pts (ocb), 2 Martin Read (15) and Tony Davis (8) 41 pts, 3 Marley Read (27) and Billy Mason (3) 40 pts, 4 Pete Hawkins (3) and Martyn Cook (7) 39 pts. Nearest-the-pin prize par three fifth/14th hole: Tony Davis. Closest second shot to the pin on the par four sixth/15th hole: Ian Ladkin.

Saturday afternoon swindle: 1 Dave Allen, John Everard and Duncan Kilby 84 pts, 2 Martyn Cook, Malcolm Burnett and Paul Harris 82 pts, 3 Alan Dunsdon, Pat Coyne and Keith Bannister 78 pts.