Two fabulous scores of 139 saw the first play-off for many years at the Thorpe Hall Junior Open.

Daniel Brooks, the one handicapper from Langdon Hills, and Ballards Gore's Dan Capps, who plays off four, had both shot 70 and 69 for the morning and afternoon rounds.

The two players then competed over an extra four holes - at which stage they were still level.

This then became sudden death and the next two holes were both halved.

Brooks hit a six-iron to within 18 inches at the par three seventh and, when Capps missed his chip from just off the green, he had to concede

It was a remarkable achievement for Capps, who is still only 15, playing against a respected county star who is well placed in the Essex "order of merit."

The girls' competition was also very exciting with the eventual winner Lucy Clarke, who lives in Rayleigh, being pushed by Thorpe's own Georgina Swallow.

The morning round had given Clarke a four-stroke advantage but, after birdies on they eighth and ninth from Swallow, they were level again.

Clarke played the last nine holes one under par and was relieved to see her opponent drop shots at 10 and 14 as she won for the fourth year running.

The under-13 NatWest Scratch Trophy went to 11-year-old Jack Heasman, who shot 78. Other notable rounds included a 71 from Pat Griffiths in the afternoon, David Tintori's 74 and Ashley Foreman's 75, which included seven threes.

Published Thursday August 19, 2004

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