PHIL MacFarlane and Mike Merrick can look forward to honours board recognition after winning Ross Golf Club's annual George Griffiths Greensomes Cup.

The duo beat their playing partners Allen Bartlett and Steve Crooks on countback to scoop the prize, with the birdie three on the par four 16th hole proving to be the determining factor. Both pairs scored 43 points, with other good scores being 41 carded by Tony Dallow and Paul Element and Steve Gwilliam and Paul Vitale.

A point further adrift were Harold Beach and David Sainsbury and Frank Gallagher and Nigel Gibbs.

In the third round of the Layton Cup, John Palmer, who has a handicap of 11, rolled back the years with a 41 stableford points total to see his name head the final scoresheet and entitle him to a one-shot handicap reduction.

Runner up was Richard Mackley with 40 points followed by David Sainsbury, Eric Stephens and Keith Shilton, who all had 39 points.

Graeme Laws and Gordon Brigg was a point further back, with Wref Digings and Keith Ray finishing on 37.

At the half way stage of the Layton Cups six-rounds format, where the best three rounds total determines the 2015 winner, the table is headed by Andrew Baldwin.

He also leads the table for the Eclectic Cup which is associated with it so a potential double success awaits.

There was further success for the Ross Club in their friendly match programme with Ross club captain, Clive Whitson, leading the club's team to 4-2 wins against Forest of Dean GC and Robin Hood GC, who are based in the West Midlands.

Seniors captain Richard Topping was also celebrating when his squad were able to record a 6-2 win against Herefordshire GC in Wormsley.