NORTHENDEN Golf Club played host to the 57th Mersey Ladies Shield which again attracted a great attendance of golfers from the five Mersey clubs in the BB Stableford competition.

The top six pairs in each team have their totals aggregated for the final score and it was neck and neck going into the last hour with just a point separating four of the teams.

Then came the sting in the tail as Sale’s stalwart duo of Sue Barrett and Sophia Casey, who have played in the competition for more than 30 years, showed their class with a best-of-the-day return of 42 points which was quickly followed by a 35-pointer from Linda Jenkinson and Brig Elmore to put them in an unassailable position.

Didsbury moved into second place as their last pair Brenda Chadwick and Val O’Brien had 38 points to move them clear of Northenden and Withington.

Sale lady captain Maria Walmsley received the shield from Didsbury lady captain Margaret Lloyd, the holders of the trophy, to set up suitable celebrations for the Sale team and both paid a fitting tribute to Northenden for their organisation, course condition and hospitality led by lady captain Pat Blackburn.

The top individual scores were Sue Barrett and Sophia Casey 42, Carol Nelson and Ann Culpan (Northenden) 38, Val O’Brien and Brenda Chadwick (Didsbury) 38 and Caroline Croxton and Julie Matthews (Sale) 36.

The other counters for Sale were Lynn Rourke and Jenny Kehoe 34, Maria Walmsley and Cynthia Hammond 33, Trish Alston and June Cutler 32.

Top counters from the other clubs were Chris Killeen and Joan Price (Withington) 35, Muriel Walton and Ann Moizer (Chorlton) 34.

Final team placings: 1 Sale 212, 2 Didsbury 205, 3 Northenden 201, 4 Withington 199, 5 Chorlton 181.