PAUL Jones got off to a blistering start in the re-arranged Monthly Medal at Brean on Saturday. Despite being unable to get in any practice in during the week he opened his round with back to back birdies.

The one he recorded at the second was very important as it also gave him a slice of the rolled over Two's pot. He defied the persistent rain and beat his handicap by four over the shortened course of 15 holes that was open on the day.

His score claimed him the Division One Medal and also the Bill Anderson Memorial Trophy for the best score of the day. His brother Steve was runner up in the top flight with a respectable nett 56, despite forgetting to take his umbrella out with him.

Neil Barker was the winner in Division Two with a nett 58 as he ended two strokes clear of Matt Haskins. Steve Mason also posted a two at the 17th which denied Jones the whole pot of £54. Not surprisingly the entry level for the Medal was very low but each and every one of the competitors should be congratulated for braving the conditions and completing their rounds.

The latest round of the Seniors Winter League only just survived being called off by the weather last Tuesday but it went ahead and not surprisingly the turnout wasn't huge considering the wet stuff was still falling from the sky.

Ten hardly souls ventured out to contest the Betterball Bogey event over a reduced 15 holes and they all returned wet and bedraggled a few hours later.

Despite the dismal weather the golf was pretty decent and a close finish ended in the leading two pairs requiring to be separated by a countback. In the end the last six holes were the deciding factor in giving Seniors Captain Tony Roper and his partner Dai Wood victory on +6.

Runners up spot went to the duo of Ken Ponter and Tony Tissington whilst Mike Haskins and Pete Douglas rounded out the top three on +2. The reward for all the competitors was some valuable points for the ongoing winter league format which may make their decision to play all the more worthwhile when the scores are totalled up at the end of the winter.