Braintree Golf Club teams have progressed in three county competitions but departed another.

They required a sudden death play-off to progress in the Leslie Wood against Stock Brook Manor, with Tony Bannister the hero after the teams had finished level at 7½–7½.

Braintree were equally indebted to Phill Townsend, who battled back from five-down with six holes to play to secure the vital half that led to the play-off.

In round two Braintree will be at home to Woodford.

Braintree were also locked in a close tussle in the Norman Plum Trophy, edging home 3½-2½ against North Weald and will face Belfairs in the second round.

The ladies also progressed in the first round of their Bronze Shield campaign, winning 4-3 at Warley Park.

Braintree had prepared well by playing several practice rounds on the challenging course near Brentwood and Caroline Fields secured the first win on the 15th.

The following two games went Warley Park’s way, however, Kajsa Bolland and Anne Gisby won their contests to edge Braintree in front only for the hosts to draw level again.

It was left to Liz Maynard, playing in her first Bronze match, to finish all-square with her opponent and she kept her nerve to win the play-off on the 19th to see Braintree home.

The only setback was suffered by the over-55 team, who went out of the Essex Seniors Championship when they went down 6-5 in a nip-and-tuck tussle at Frinton.

Although many games went to the final green, home advantage counted in the end.