Front nine boost for Bristol men

Bristol pair James Jakes (Knowle) and Martin Dewhurst defied strong winds and heavy rain to win the Howards Pairs Championship in the final event of the Gloucester and Somerset PGA year.

They shot seven-under-par 63 over the Channel course at Burnham and Berrow to beat Wells-based Kevin Pitts and Filton's Daryl Kelley by two shots.

The format was a scramble over the first nine and betterball on the second half and attracted a record entry of 22 teams.

The winners blitzed the front nine with a best-of-the-day five-under 30. Playing partners Luke Derrick and Michael Hunt from Henbury held second spot until late starters Kelley and Pitts carded five consecutive birdies from the third and closed with a further birdie.

The Henbury duo shared third with Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court) and Dan Toogood (Weston-super-Mare.

Five pairs shared fifth including new captain Scott Thompson (Mendip Spring) playing with Paul Barrington (InPlay Golf).