Clacton's golfers were shot down by Enfield as they failed in their bid to reach the semi-finals of the county's premier team competition.
It was a valiant effort by the Seasiders, who were taking on a side that had won the Thornton Challenge Cup on no less than 12 previous occasions.
Clacton were looking to get to the last four and go on to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.
Although they made an excellent start by sharing the morning foursomes, too many of their big guns failed to take the points needed from the singles matches after lunch.
Slowly but surely Enfield picked off their opponents to eventually triumph 9-6 at a superb Thorndon Park Golf Club.
Clacton team captain Norman Messenger was disappointed but not down-hearted.
"We have had a tremendous run and lost to a very, very good side which we hope will go on to win the event," he said.
"We have learned a great deal from this campaign and hopefully will come back even stronger next year."
Published Thursday July 22, 2004
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