SALE Golf Club recovered well from the recent heavy downpours and provided a great course for their annual staging of the historic Hancock Trophy for mixed pairs.

It went to the wire of a card play-off on 40 points to decide the winners of the trophy, sponsored by John Davies of Urmston Service Station, between home pair Mobi and Cath Rawthore and Alderley Edge professional Charles le Sueur and Jo McGregor.

The powerful Sale pair comprising Mobi, a top senior with Cheshire and his wife, England Senior Lady star Cath, got the verdict to put their name on the trophy again.

It was presented to them by Manchester and District Golf Alliance president, Ian Brooks, who thanked Sale for their great support after being welcomed by captain Terry Crewe and lady captain Jenny Page.

The winners topped the am-am section by a point from Michael Smith and Sophie Garretty (Blackley), who won a card play-off from Ashton-under-Lyne duo John and Jacqui Dawber.

There was another double for Alliance Order of Merit leader Phil Archer as he was top individual pro with 40 points ahead of Tim Maxwell (Knutsford), on 37, and Gary Brown (Glossop) and Martyn Hamer (Davyhulme Park), both on 35.

Phil (Poulton Park) partnered his mum Jean (Birchwood) to top spot in the pro-am section with a fine haul of 44 points from Gary Brown and his Mellor and Townscliffe partner Kim Jackson, on 42, and Charles le Sueur and Jo McGregor, on 40.