Frilford Heath duo Ashley Walton and Ben Paterson came within a whisker of cleaning up in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Foursomes Championships at The Lambourne.

The pair claimed the scratch title and were only denied the handicap crown on countback after an excellent 36-hole display.

This was despite them playing off a combined handicap of plus one.

Walton, who the previous week won the BB&O Amateur Championship, and Paterson led by four shots in the scratch event after firing a 71 in the morning round.

Oxford City won the title last year, and a level-par 72 in the afternoon put City's Adam Wootton and Ian Bound in contention on 150.

But a solid 76 was enough to give Walton and Paterson the trophy by three strokes.

Their nett 148 looked a good bet for the handicap title, but that went to Colin Lumley and Alan Paterson, from The Berkshire, despite a double bogey at the 14th hole.

RESULTS

Scratch: 1 A Walton & B Paterson (Frilford Heath) 71+76=147, 2 A Wootton & I Bound (Oxford City) 78+72=150.

Handicap: 1 C Lumley & A Paterson (The Berkshire) 73+75=148 (cb), 2 A Walton & B Paterson (Frilford Heath) 71.5+76.5=148.

Best pm: 1 J Wilks & A Slater (Burford) 74.

  • Chipping Norton will host the English Women's Golf Association South East Divisional Championships from July 15-17.

The defending champion is Curtis Cup player Liz Bennett, who plays off plus three.

A spokesman for Chipping Norton said: "We are delighted to have been chosen to host such a major competition and judging from enquiries to date, are expecting considerable public interest."

It will be a busy week for Neil Carter and his green staff as Chippy's Pro Am takes place on July 20.

  • The Wychwood's junior captain Rob Knight led his side to a 3-2 victory over The Oxfordshire in the countyy junior league.

Knight won his match 3 & 2, while former skipper Rob Gunn and Stephen Brooks were also victors.