ROSS Baker followed up his win in the 18-hole Kington Open by winning the Captains Prize resulting in his reducing his handicap.

Baker, who was junior captain at Kington last year, beat Kevin Barnes to the Captains Prize after finishing on 45 points.

Barnes was runner-up with 43 points, with Rob Metcalfe II third on 42.

Baker's rich vein of form has seen his handicap go down from 13 to eight in just four weeks and he will soon be going to Hartpury College to undertake a sports degree.

Meanwhile, Kington stalwart Joe James won the Ancients Cup.

The competition was open for anyone aged over 60, with James returning an excellent 42 points in tricky weather conditions.

Phil Gould was runner-up with 37 points, with Nigel Venables a further point adrift.

For the third time next week, Kington will be attempting to play the Club Championship over 36 holes.

The event has already been called off three times due to poor weather, including torrential rain, lightning and thunder and low cloud.

The club is also gearing up for the Cognac Trophy in France.

Member Glyn Wictome will be taking a number of golfers across the Channel to play against some strong French opposition in the Cognac region.

Wictome and Kington have some good friends in the region and have been offered some excellent French hospitality for five days.

All clubs in the Shropshire & Herefordshire Union are invited to play in the Cognac Trophy on an annual basis where teams of four compete for some excellent Cognac prizes sponsored by William Coates and his colleagues.