STEVE Johnson returned to form to win the first of Playgolf Colchester’s six championship-qualifying rounds.

Johnson (nine) saw off the challenge of a large field to record a joint lowest gross round of 75, nett 66 to win division one.

His winning card included highlights of 11 pars and a par-three birdie, on the 14th hole.

Matt Barnett (eight) equalled the lowest gross 75, nett 67 to finish as runner-up.

He recorded nine pars and two birdies, which came on the par-three fifth and par-four 12th holes.

Cord Plasse (10) was third with his gross 79, nett 69 with highlights of six pars and a pair of birdies.

In fourth place was Antony Kirwan (five) after he recorded the joint-lowest gross round of 75, nett 70.

Will Elder (14) carded four pars and a par-four birdie on the sixth hole to win division two.

Elder won on a three-way countback decision from Ken Todd (19) with Ron Gilzean third, after all three players carded nett 71.

David Slaughter (23) won division three with a nett 73, which included highlights of a pair of pars.

Runner-up was John MacDonald (21) with a nett 75, while Shaun Evans (22) was third on countback from Matthew Whymark (27), after both players carded nett 76.

David Ruxton won division one of the senior stableford on countback from Jeremy Dalton and Steve Turner, after all three carded 37 points.

Ever-improving David Palmer won division two from runner-up Colin Green and Brian Ruffle, who was third.