STOKE by Nayland Golf Club claimed a narrow victory over Romford to progress to the Thornton Cup second round.

They won 8-7 on points on the Constable course in the competition, which is seen as the blue ribbon event for golf clubs in the Essex Golf Union calendar.

Stoke by Nayland took a 3½-1½ point lead at the halfway stage in the morning foursomes.

The winning pairs were Alex English and James Mack, Richard Cross and Ian Younger, Louie Freeman and Tom Everett.

Paul Chalmers and Gerald Collins gained a fighting half point.

The singles proved to be a tougher affair with Romford fielding four plus handicap golfers in their team.

Stoke had to somehow find 4 ½ points to get into the next round.

But wins for Freeman, Mack, Younger and Ian Carter plus Alex English's all-important half point saw Stoke seal a narrow win.

Stoke debutants, Mack and Matt Eaves, both played well to help them book a second-round tie at Rochford Hundred GC, on May 29.

Stoke by Nayland team: Ian Carter, Matt Eaves, Louis Freeman, Tom Everett, Gerald Collins, Paul Chalmers, Alex English, James Mack, Ian Younger, Richard Cross.

Club captain Ian Thompson surprised Stoke by Nayland's mixed golfer by switching the prestigious Jubilee Salvers Mixed Foursomes competition from the customary Gainsborough course to the Constable course.

It left competitors trying to work out who should tee off on the odd holes and who on the evens.

The course played very long and the scores were low with the exception of clear winners Julian Lamb and Jo Little, who scored a magnificent 38 points.

Result: 1st Julian Lamb and Jo Little 38 points, 2nd Tim Dickens and Tracey Dickens 31 points ocb, 3rd Norman Davidson and Elaine Davidson 31 points.

Ladies captain Betty Cox and Elaine Davidson won the Coronation Foursomes with 30 points, on the Constable course.

They will now go on to play the next round at a club within the region.

Second were Susan Swan and Joan Landen with 29 points while Margaret Bentley and Jan Partner were third (27 points ocb).

Results: Laird Trophy round three, division one: 1st Mark Chaplin 36 points, 2nd Adrian Leach 36 points, 3rd Ian Carter 36 points.

Division two: 1st Chris Williamson 33 points, 2nd Dean Cherry 33 points, 3rd Andrew Hately 33 points.

Midweek Medal: 1st Trevor Warren 84-13 = 71; 2nd Daniel Brown 83-11 = 72; 3rd Gary Borthwick 84-11 = 73.

Seniors’ Monthly Stableford (Captain’s Prize) division one: 1st Alan Austin 37 points (Captain’s Prize); 2nd Rod Harman 35 points; 3rd Norman Davidson 35 points.

Division two: 1st Steven Tree 34 points; 2nd Ray Firth 33 points; 3rd Alan Line 33 points.