CHORLTON Golf Club added to their record number of wins by scooping this year's Mersey Men's Shield.

The competition began in 1947 featuring the five Mersey Valley clubs at Northenden Golf Club, with Chorlton being the first winners.

And this year, it again attracted a full field of 220 players to Withington Golf Club, many of whom had to come through qualifying competitions at their clubs to make their team.

The competition is a BB Stableford with the top six scores in each team aggregated for the deciding score.

It was a long day but the players enjoyed good weather and an excellent and challenging course backed by great clubhouse service and organisation.

Didsbury were the early pacesetters and established a nine-point lead with Philip Speake and Adam Rhodes leading the way with 42 points, followed by Alex O’Gara and Tomas Fleming, Keith Thompson and Paul Slevin and Shane Kelleher and Simon Wells, all on 41.

Chorlton then showed their intent as they stormed into the lead with 43 pointers from Chris Marney and Jack O’Connor, Jason Johnson and club legend Peter McManus, Frank Howarth and Kevin Doohan.

This was backed by 42-pointers from Craig Cheetham and John Copping and Tom Garnett and Ray Foster with a winning 254 total secured by Daniel Castille and Mike Lynch, with 41 points.

Didsbury and trophy holders Sale tied in second place on 245 with Sale’s top pair being Paul Connett and Peter Hodgkinson on 42.

Northenden had Pat Hayes and Ged Burke with 42 points leading them to fourth place with 243, and host Withington had Drew Folland and Michael McPherson as their top scorers in their 238 total..

The individual prizes were dominated by Chorlton as they took the top four spots followed by Pat Hayes and Ged Burke and Philip Speake and Adam Rhodes.

Withington captain Steve Emmett thanked all of the players and organisers and the staff at Withington GC for their help and service and Sale captain Terry Crewe presented the huge Mersey Shield to Chorlton skipper Dave Paxton.