BRAINTREE Golf Club bowed out of the Leslie Wood Trophy at the first hurdle when they lost a play-off to Canons Brook at Stisted.

After leading 3-2 from the morning foursomes, Braintree were pegged back in the singles and the match finished 7½-7½ which meant a sudden death play-off.

Terry Fisher, for Braintree, and his opponent halved the first hole but a birdie three at the second by the Canons Brook man saw his side through.

In the Essex Seniors competition, Braintree were beaten 6-5 by Stoke by Nayland in a tight encounter with the final game going to the last hole.

In club competitions, Val Bethell, playing off 17, won the Ladies' Par Bogey, finishing on -3.

There was a countback for second spot on -4, with Valda Curtis (26) gaining the verdict over Cyd Rodford (20).

Two more players finished on -5 and after a further countback Carol Mehrer (22) took fourth spot, with Caroline Fields (18) fifth.

The men’s midweek Stableford was won by Keith Otter (13) with 34 points.

Father and son Michael and Alasdair Groves filled the other two places - Alasdair (10) was second with 33 points, upstaging his father, off four, on 30.