CLUB captain John O’Connor and manager Craig Greason ended Braintree Golf Club’s long wait for victory in the Essex CGU’s Herbert Bishop Vase when they came out on top against 37 other pairs at Colne Valley.

The Braintree pair signed for 43 points, three clear of Julie Ruscoe and Michael Withers from Colchester and Basildon’s Sue and Alan Cable.

It is the first time in 38 years that a Braintree pair have won this annual club captain/manager fourball betterball event.

The Braintree youngsters were also in winning form in their latest Essex Youth Shield Zone A match when they beat Colchester 4-1 at Stisted.

There were wins for Kyron Moon by 6&4, Alasdair Groves one-up, Callum Chamberlain 4&3 and Liam Walsh by two-up.

Will Farrow almost made it a clean sweep but lost on the 19th hole.

The Braintree boys' final section match is home to Elsenham.

In club competitions, Dermot Burns and Michael Webster posted 44 points to win the Stisted Park greensomes competition.

They finished one ahead of David Haylett and Kevin Thomson while Michael Groves and Duncan Patmore finished third on countback from Tony Bannister and Alistair Stalker as both pairs had 41 points.

The men’s Stableford on Saturday also required a countback, which saw Trevor Hardy (6) take top spot ahead of Tim Streamer (9), both with 35 points.

There was a further countback on 34 points with Michael Calder (14) finishing third ahead of James Bussell (7) and Russell Hedges (14).

John Bradford was at it again in the men’s Midweek Stableford.

Playing off plus-two he posted 38 points to finish one ahead of Terry Warmington (16), with Bill Dunbar (16) third with 36.

The ladies’ Windfall Trophy saw Valerie Bethell (17) finish top with 41 points.

There was a countback for second place on 39 points with Sue Scott (21) getting the verdict over Diana Hughes (14), while Karen Aslett (24) was fourth with 38.