NEIL PAXMAN and Tony Brier scooped their second victory of the season when the Halifax, Huddersfield Alliance programme moved to Crosland Heath.
The Meltham duo snatched victory late in the day in the Am-Am section, on a back-nine card countback after returning 45 points, the same as the Fixby pairing of Pete Newey and Mike Dempsey.
Paxman, who plays off nine and his 15-handicap partner Brier, were helped by two nett eagles (for four points) on the third and 13th holes as they followed up from their victory at West End last October.
The two eagles were matched by Newey for the runners-up, who also collected six nett birdies as the Fixby men mirrored the 45-point tally, despite having a blob on the par five 15th!
Back in third spot were Dewsbury duo Jimmy Caine and Edward Battye with 44 points after the former had also eagled three and 13, they too taking the final prize on offer thanks to a countback.
The big winners in the Pro-Am section were Bradley Hall professional Rob Booth (scr) and his partner Andy Hare (4), also celebrating their third success of the season, as they came in with a splendid 46 points. The 25-year-old Booth stormed round in seven-under par to pip Woodsome Hall’s tournament professional Chris Hanson and his brother Richard (still a member at the Heath) by just one point.
If there was a prize for ‘shot of the day’ that would surely have gone to Hebden Bridge 12-handicapper Noel Russell, who, on the 334-yard par four 11th, knocked his five iron approach shot onto the green and in the hole for a two for two.
A total of 58 pairs took part in the Crosland Heath event, which included nine pro pairings. The next event is the Mixed Team event (2 men, 2 ladies) at Outlane, on Tuesday, March 16.
