THE pairing of Ian Ladkin and Lenny Blagden took the field by storm to win the fourth round of Maldon Golf Club’s second Ben Volta Winter League.

In the greensomes medal, played off 50 per cent combined handicaps, Ladkin and Blagden returned a fine score of nett 65 to secure 25 points and move to the top of the table at the mid-point of the second qualifying league.

Runners-up spot on the day went to Alan Buckingham and Sam Cummins with nett 67 (ocb), while Steve Gearey and Mike Kempen were third.

Fourth and fifth places were also decided on countback with Billy Mason and Marley Read just edging out Mark Hinton and Roy Hurren, after both pairs returned nett 68.

The nearest-the-pin prize on the par-three fifth/14th hole went to Hinton while Jim Scott won the award for the nearest second shot to the pin on the par-four sixth/15th hole.

With four of the eight qualifying Sundays completed, league leaders Ladkin and Blagden have a nine-point advantage with 77.

Second place is currently held by the past-captains pairing of Nigel Cook and Alan Dunsdon on 68, with Alan Buckingham and Sam Cummins third, on 67, and Matt Pepper and Paul Shires fourth, on 64.

This week’s popular Saturday swindle was won by the fourball of Martyn Cook, Pat Coyne, Garth Milford and Alan Dunsdon, playing off a three-quarter handicap allowance.

In the best-two-scores format, their total of 81 points was enough to win by a five-shot margin from the full-handicap three-ball of Dave Newton, Dave Poynton and Malcolm Kemp.