ASHTON-on-Mersey scooped the team competition trophy in the latest Manchester and District Golf Alliance event at Bolton Old Links Golf Club.

There was a full field of teams, with reserves, who enjoyed the return of Alliance president John Dowd to meet and greet them before play following his recent health problems.

It was good on the course on the West Pennine moors, for the team-of-four tournament, sponsored by Darren Wood of Club Systems.

And it was Ashton who triumphed with a team of three young guns – Paul King, Luke Aikenhead and Josh Lee – being expertly led by professional Ollie Pantoja to an excellent haul of 92 points.

But it needed a card play-off to shake off Craig Corrigan (Chilli Dip) and his team of Mark Riley, Dan Crook and Paul Hesford.

Just a point back were the home team of Alan Schofield, Steve Jackson, Terry and Tony Chadwick.

The top individual professional was Andy Palmer (Chorley) with 41 points from Graham Cox (Lymm) and Craig Corrigan, who was able to close the big gap on Order of Merit leader Phil Archer (Poulton Park).