JIM Maltby smashed a nett 64 to lead the way in Colchester Golf Club's Victory Cup qualifying competition.

Maltby, playing off a 17 handicap, came top in a competitive field of 84 players in hot conditions where the hard-baked surface let the ball run on.

This combined with the now well-watered greens allowed the scores to reflect the conditions, with all but one of the 16 qualifiers returning scores of under 70.

David Latta (12) in the first group out in the morning held the long-term lead with a nett 66 a score shared by Colin Gathercole (eight), Dan Nicholls (four) and club captain Stewart Ness (12).

A trio of players then returned nett 67s - Duncan Stewart (11), Jeff Johnson (15) and John Blackmore, while Martin Webb (eight), Michael Mayes (12) and Phil Hayward (seven) qualified with nett 68s.

Brendan Booth (five), Matt Black (seven), Stephen Holland (17) and Mike Sutton (nine) were four more qualifiers with 69s while Ian Parry (eight) was the final qualifier.

They will now go on to play in a knockout for the Victory Cup.

Colchester Golf Club’s ladies’ captain Jane Madge hosted her Captain’s Day competition, a four ball with three scores to count.

Haley Joel, Sharon Manby, Catherine Chick and Liz Reed made the best of the high temperatures with an impressive 120 points.

The team of Marilyn Wood, Nerys Horrocks, Joan Cotterill and Gillian Whittle were runners-up after finishing one point behind.

Colchester GC's long-term vets section secretary John Champ added another feather to his cap by winning the Vets Stableford and Anniversary Trophy.

His 39 points from a 22 handicap put him one ahead of second-placed scores of 37 by Michael Carroll (12) and Tim Rogers (10).

Colchester GC hosted a 14-hole three pair foursome, with the best two scores counting.

It was won by a team comprising Claire and Clive Hebden, Gill and Barrie Minns with guests Ross Mast and Pam Almy from ThousandHills Golf Club in Michigan U.S.A.

They finished five points ahead of Peter and Sharon Manby, Alan Tindall and Philippa Davies with Len and Julia Niewenhuis in second place.