SALE'S ladies won the Manchester District Ladies' Golf Association's Bell Cup for the fourth time after victory against Turton.

The Bell Cup is the top competition in the MDLGA, having been first played for in 1909, and is the biggest inter-club competition of its kind with more than 80 clubs taking part in the competition this year.

It sees the top seven players from each club in the exciting singles matchplay format which began action in March.

The final is traditionally held at the home club of the MDLGA president and this year it was staged at Prestbury Golf Club, the home club of president Tricia Hunt.

The course was in fantastic condition with the greens drawing universal high praise from all the players, and the off-course facilities were also of the highest standard to make this a day to remember for players, officials and supporters of the teams and the MDLGA officials led by Bell Cup secretary Janet Collins, from Knutsford Golf Club.

The morning semi-finals saw Sale take on Haydock Park and Turton against Rochdale.

Turton eased through 5-2 with wins from Hilary Hibbert, Helen Mosscrop, Elaine Hayes, Laura Howarth and Chloe Cummins.

But it was much closer in the other semi, which was a real thriller that saw Sale recover from a 3-1 deficit to win with Rebecca Hyde providing the vital point on the 18th to back wins from Sue Oldham, Gill Ross and Julie Matthews.

The final proved to be another cliffhanger that saw the match again tied at 3-3 with all depending on the last match out on the course going to the 18th hole.

There were twists and turns along the way with Sale racing into a 3-1 lead with wins for Caroline Croxton (one up), Moira Forster (4&2) and Rebecca Hyde (3&1).

But the Turton team hit back with wins for Jo Miller (4&2), Laura Howarth (one up) and Chloe Cummins (6&4) to leave it all depending on the last match between Sale’s Jenni Page and Chris Gobin.

A cool putt on the last hole from Page took her team across the line.

Sale’s previous wins were in 1989, 2010 and 2015 and they were able to celebrate another historic victory back at their club.