CLACTON Golf Club's ladies have made a winning start in the Harris Bowl competition.

They won by three matches to two after a thrilling match at Five Lakes.

Their team comprised captain Fiona Cope, Denise Pink, Sonja Strutt, Di Kedge and Julia Hewett and three of the matches went to the 18th hole.

Meanwhile, Clacton's Leslie Wood team of captain Steve Parkes, Darin Starling, Richard Hart, Clayton Jeffrey, Brady Diplock, Lee Harmon, Craig Green, Joshua Bethell, Adam Stringer, Jordan Blanche-Price and Colin Ross travelled to Romford Golf Club for their quarter-final match against Forrester Park.

With one match remaining, Clacton needed a win to force a play-off.

Starling won his match on the 18th green, meaning each side had 7½ points.

Play-off man Blanche-Price then did a great job under real pressure, but it was not to be.

Clacton therefore lost the match by the narrowest of margins.

Clacton's men played for the Victory Cup and the winner was Jeffrey, returning a score of a score of 79, minus his 10 handicap, giving a nett score of 69.

In second was Kevin Turnbull, with 82-12-70, on countback from third-placed Andy Hobbs, with 74-4-70.

Clacton's seniors travelled to The Essex for the away section of their annual match and the team of captain Tony Burnside, John Fisher, Laurie Farrugia, Mick Curwood, Ray Fage, Doug Nichols, Robert Gillespie, Ian Wenman, Alan Price, John Wacker, vice-captain John Kemp, Maurice Tarrant, Richard Weeks, Bill Clarke, John Crick and Derek Woodrow suffered a 5-3 defeat.

Clacton's seniors played their July Medal, with the winning score of 85-13-72 being returned by past captain Ray Fage.

In second was Peter Wiggins, with 93-21-72, on countback from third-placed Terry Lineham, also with 93-21-72.

Clacton's junior section played their July stableford and the winner was Josh Bethell, with 35 points, on countback from junior captain Riley Faulkner.

In third was Wilf Elliott, with 34.