MATTHEW Barnett earned himself a shot handicap cut after winning the Playgolf Colchester Gazette Open Singles competition.

Barnett (eight) won on countback from Steve Johnson (ten), after both players carded nett 66.

Barnett took the top spot with his gross 74, including a level par back nine.

His countback score could have looked a lot worse had he not recovered from three dropped shots on the first two holes of the back nine.

Barnett hit three birdies on the par-four 13th and 17th and par-three 16th.

He also carded a birdie on the par-five second and backed this up with eight pars, to secure his handicap cut.

Johnson narrowly missed out with a three-over back nine, with bogie on the last costing dearly.

His excellent gross 76 included two birdies on the second and par-four 15th, as well as nine pars.

He also earned a shot handicap cut to return to playing off single figures (nine), next time out.

Brian Williams (22) carded a nett 67 to take third place with an excellent card highlights of six pars.

The one-division competition saw a large field compete in superb conditions.

The Playgolf Seniors were a force to be reckoned after winning their home friendly match against The Notleys, 7-1.

Playgolf's challenging course gives the home team an advantage, with both the course and weather excellent.

The seniors played a medal competition with Paul Woods winning division one with a nett 70 and Steve Turner in second on countback with a nett 71, beating Greg King.

Des McCarron won division two with 73 nett from Bob Price in second on countback with nett 75, beating Patrick Driver.

Alan Burke and Anthony Nudd both won a Sleeve of balls for par-three birdies.

Countback was needed to separate the top three in division one of Playgolf Colchester's ladies June Medal, with a trio of players carding nett 74.

Linda Smith came out on top with the best back nine, seeing Kyung Cho take the runner-up spot from third-placed Judith Peeling.

Pauline Jordan took top spot in division two with Jennifer Stevens runner-up and Janet Blackmore in third place.