Braintree Golf Club secured their second Norman Plum Trophy in three years after a titanic final against a very strong team from The Essex.

This year’s Norman Plum Trophy began in April and on their way to the final, Braintree beat North Weald in the first round before seeing off Theydon Bois, Burnham on Crouch, Clacton on Sea and Stoke by Nayland.

Each team consists of 12 category three and four golfers with six playing at home and six playing away on the same day, in an 18-hole four-ball better ball stableford.

The final was a memorable one and produced some excellent scores but in an unusual twist, both teams won their respective away legs.

Braintree’s win was set up by Paul Maleary and his partner Robert Kieffer’s excellent play in the away leg at The Essex.

The strong pairing scored a match-winning 40 points and the score was backed up superbly by Andy Bullock and Robert Hughes, who scored 37 points and Alf Haills and Gary Mills, with 33 points.

Braintree won the away leg 110-101 but the home leg saw an almighty battle, with The Essex producing some fine golf scoring 41 points, 39 points and 35 points respectively.

Tim Sheppard and Alan Kerr continued where they left off in the semi-finals, scoring a hugely impressive 40 points, while Brian Cook and club captain Alan Fox also played very well in the lead match, scoring 37 points.

Team captain Richard Hall and his playing partner Gil Lake scored 34 points, and although the home team narrowly lost 115-111, Braintree took the trophy 221-216.