COWDRAY Park Seniors were divided into two camps, when the 71-and-unders took on the 72-and-overs in their annual battle for the Jimmy Thompson Trophy.

The elder statesmen played off the forward tees and, generally, received shots from their younger opponents as they tried to prove that ‘age shall not wither’.

This they did in no small way as they won by 26-5, allowing Dave Hirons to pick up the trophy yet again from captain Derek Smith.

Amongst the many fine individual performances, 80-something Dennis Clifton rolled back the years with accurate driving, chipping and putting to compensate for lack of power.

He and Mick Colban never let Mel Milburn and David Heard have a look-in. Mike King, who hit two nearest-the-pin shots, partnered Bruce Spooner to the biggest win of the day.

John Durrell and Tony Castley faced two of the biggest hitters in the section, John Doran and David Wickham, but won by one hole.

Durrell hit the shot of the day when his drive at the third finished inches from the hole. It was still all-square after 16 holes when Castley drove the 17th green and recorded a net birdie to give his team the lead, which he defended with a net par on the 18th. Wickham played some outstanding golf, yet found himself on the losing side.

Results (winning pairs and margins): 71 & under: Graham Evans & David Manning 2; John Hall & Joe Berzak 2; Robin Phillips & Graham Thompson 1.

72 & under: Dave Hirons & Pat Harrison 1; Peter Hallt & Peter Burton 3; Pat Bonner & Alan Godfree 1; Phil Pett & Ken Marjoram 1; John Durrell & Tony Castley 1; Dave Tilley & Ray Dowse 2; Mike King & Bruce Spooner 7; Terry Jasper & Barry Overington 3; Mick Colban & Dennis Clifton 3; Clive Strudwick & John Sanderson 2; Mike Nobes & Wally Mitchell 2.