THE Joe Steward Better Ball Cup, Broadway's stableford competition, has been won by the seasoned pairing of Graham Taylor and Mike Follett who scored an excellent 45 points.

They may not have been troubled by the rigours of the course, however, waiting for all the results to be recorded appeared to be rather stressful.

In testing conditions, a chill wind and fiery greens, the winners cantered in two points clear of Ken Major and the ever present Shaun Thornhill.

Club captain Brian Wright and Mark Stedman amassed 41 points and, on countback, just pipped stalwart Fred Powers and Pete Dyke.

Scoring in general was lower than usual with one, unnamed pair, enduring a particularly torrid time in amassing just 13 points over their first nine.

Youngster Peter Stedman enjoyed the experience of partnering Simon Bolton who only warmed up after the front nine.

Harry Roberts, he of the Sword of Zorro putting stroke, and partner Fred Powers triumphed in this foursome competition with a splendid nett 69.

Mike Williams and the debonair Peter May followed just behind with a nett 70 whilst a stroke back came the pairings of Nick Gorin and Tony Gisbourne together with Terry Sandalls and Nigel Bird.

Handicap reductions were the order of the day in Division Three after the latest ladies medal competition was staged in improved weather conditions.

Winner Hazel Dickinson saw her handicap reduced by four to 35, while runner-up Sue Jones will now play off 33, a loss of two shots.

LGU Ladies Medal - Division One: 1 Gill Maton 90-16-74; 2 Kathryn Morris 95-18-77. Division Two: 1 Sally Campbell 95-21-74; 2 Lorraine Davis 100-25-75. Division Three: 1 H Dickinson 106-39-67; 2 S Jones 104-33-71. CSS - 75.

Naunton Downs

Ladies County Foursomes: Winners, Bridget Lindley & Barbara Watson.

Men's Weekday Medal: 1 Will Spiers 72-5-67; 2 Dave Sellwood 84-16-68; 3 Phil Russ 82-10-72.

Founders Trophy: 1 Steve Smith 87-19-68; 2 Rod Turner 81-12-69; 3 Steve Thurlow 86-16-70.

Ladies Stableford: 1 Kim Beauchamp 35pts (cb) ; 2 Cherry Steadman 35; 3 Veronica Davies 34.

Club match: Naunton Ladies 3, Cleeve Cloud 1.