MIKE Keane Williams and Jon Arcaini finished in pole position to ensure Sale retained the WGTB Trophy.

Now in its 30th year, there were more than 110 players in the original entry from the 14 invited clubs with the competition beginning in May and along the way producing plenty of close and memorable matches played in good spirit with the contestants enjoying playing against counterparts from other clubs.

Despite the poor weather for large parts of the season the matches were completed on time to see the last 16 pairs through to finals day at Sale.

Once more the awful weather prior to the final had created doubts about it being played but Sale Golf Club pulled out all of the stops with their course being playable and enjoyed by the players.

Sale provided excellent off-course catering and hospitality and fine support from their officials led by their captain Terry Crewe.

He is a previous winner of the WGTB Trophy and had qualified for this year’s final but was deprived of his partner Tony Lowe at late notice due to an infection.

But he showed his class, posting 37 points on his own in the BB Stableford competition, finishing ahead of several pairs and also enjoying notching a two on the 11th hole.

The early leaders with 44 points were Sale’s ever-dangerous Kevin and Gareth Moore before they were overtaken by WGTB Trophy debutants Gary Owen and Alistair Holloway, from Altrincham, with 45.

But the trophy was retained by Sale as Keane Williams and Arcaini moved to the top of the shop with a superb haul of 46 points.

Nearest-the-pin prizes were taken by Doug Baird (Brookdale) and Alistair Holloway, with balls for twos being won by Kevin Moore and Doug Baird (two) as well as Crewe.

Crewe presented the prizes and thanked all of the players and organisers for providing a great final.