TOM Trowbridge became the first Tiverton player for years to win the Devon Boys’ championship when he captured the title by two shots at Stover.

The 15-year-old carded a two-under gross 67 in the morning – the only sub-par round of the day – and a 74 in the afternoon for a three-over total of 141.

Trowbridge, boosted by five birdies in the first round and three twos in the second, finished seven shots clear of George Bryant, of Staddon Heights, in the under-16 division.

He also won overall, followed on 143 by under-18s Kiaran Tanton, of Royal North Devon, and Tiverton club-mate Tom Hanson, who posted rounds of 71 and 72.

Trowbridge now goes on to represent Devon in the English Boys’ County Champion of Champions event at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, this Saturday.

He enjoyed further success at Stover when he picked up the Keith Abraham Junior Centenary Salver after being named player of the year by Devon under-18 team manager Grahame Moore.

Trowbridge claimed the under-16 prize in both the Whitsun Meeting at Downes Crediton and the Autumn Meeting at Tiverton, winning overall in the former and coming second in the latter.

He has represented Devon at under-16, under-18 and first-team level this year and inspired Tiverton to second place in the English Junior Champion Club Championship at Woodhall Spa.

Since then he won the under-16 prize in the South England Boys Open at Yeovil and Sherborne, finishing fourth overall with his seven-over total of 293 over four rounds.

The rich vein of form has seen his handicap come down from three to one in just over a fortnight.

Trowbridge and Hanson were among eight Tiverton players in the field of 57 at the Devon Boys’ championship, who qualified by collecting Order of Merit points at county events earlier in the season.

They were joined by Jake Reddick and Jay Buckingham in the under-18s, Alex Gibson, Leon Hogan and Bradley Scott in the under-16s and Joe Heard in the under-14s.

Tiverton junior organiser Mark Sangster said: “It is fantastic for us as a club as we are no longer sending our juniors to these huge events purely and simply to gain valuable experience but honestly believe they have a more than reasonable chance of winning.

“It really is fantastic how well they are all performing.

“Let’s hope Tom’s good form continues this week and he does the county, the club and himself proud at Woodhall Spa.”

Richard Gibson carded an excellent eight-under nett 63 to win the Chairmen’s Cup on Saturday.

Gibson birdied the 4th and parred six of the last seven holes on his way to a handicap cut from 18 to 16.

Steve Bates posted a 65 to come second on a countback from Tim Durrant and Andy Bolt, who was level par after 12 but was made to rue two sixes and a seven in the closing holes.

Ollie Taylor had five birdies in a one-under gross 70, giving him a nett 66 and fifth place.

Results: 1 Richard Gibson (81-18=63); 2 Steve Bates (77-12=65); 3 Tim Durrant (75-10=65); 4 Andy Bolt (78-13=65); 5 Ollie Taylor (70-4=66); 6 Julian Partridge (80-13=67); 7 Mike Jewell (75-8=67); 8 Jimmy Heard (75-7=68); 9 Mike Chorley (86-18=68); 10 Lee Scott (74-6=68).

David Randell posted 42 points to win the men’s September Weekday Stableford on Monday and reduce his handicap from 19 to 18.

Randell, aided by birdies on the 5th and 13th, finished three ahead of Graham Thrall in Division Two.

Gary Taylor scored 39 to take the Division One prize by one from Stephen Bazley.

Results: Division One – 1 Gary Taylor (39); 2 Stephen Bazley (38); 3 Lee Davey (37); 4 Nick Baggot (36); 5 Ian Bray (36); 6 Steve Garland (36). Division Two – 1 David Randell (42); 2 Graham Thrall (39); 3 Les Jones (37); 4 John Treasure (37); 5 Anthony Taylor (37); 6 Jim Pryce (37).