FIVE Lakes Golf Club made progress in their Thornton Cup clash with Three Rivers - but only after a nail-biting play-off finish.

Trailing 4-1 after the morning foursomes, they faced an uphill task in the singles with Three Rivers needing only four points from the ten afternoon games to achieve victory.

Early wins from Five Lakes' Andy Shakespear, Will Boniface and Adam Morris gave the home side hope, but fortunes fluctuated as Three Rivers fought hard.

After further Five Lakes' wins from Dan Carroll, Mark Snoad and Geoff Hopkins, plus a tenacious half point from Malcolm Pook, the result hinged on the last match on the course.

Five Lakes' Matt Foot went down the 18th hole needing to win to square his match and give Five Lakes the half point they needed to win the tie.

After playing out of a greenside bunker, Foot holed a 35ft putt across the sloping green to score a superb birdie four.

However, his opponent maintained his composure and coolly slotted home a 4ft putt for his own birdie to secure the win and tie the match overall at 7-7.

Shakespear headed into the sudden-death play off for Five Lakes and, after both players made par on the first extra hole, they made their way down the second.

Both players made good drives, but Shakespear produced a magnificent 142-yard nine-iron shot to within 18 inches to make a birdie three and win the match for Five Lakes.

There was also action for Five Lakes' Leslie F Wood team, who travelled to Chingford in the first round.

New team captain Paul Bowers was delighted with a 10-5 victory and Five Lakes now face a tie at West Essex.

Five Lakes' Ladies were also involved in county competition as the Harris Bowl team hosted Hartswood.

The team of Dot Greaves, Rhon Kempster, Janet Goody, Carol Freeman and Gilly Wisbey played some magnificent golf and achieved an immaculate 5-0 win.

Results: Chamois Trophy: 1 Adam Morris 71 gross, 70 nett, 2 Chris Hamblion 75 gross, 71 nett (ocb) , 3 Phil Robson 83 gross, 71 nett. Golf Foundation: 1 Billy Millar 72 gross, 69 nett (ocb), 2 Ian Cottee 84 gross, 69 nett, 3 Dave Rogers 77 gross, 70 nett. Essex Youth Shield: Braintree 2 Five Lakes 3. Skylark Trophy: 1 Anne and Kingsley Abbs 42 points, 2 Ms Phil and Phil Robson 36 pts, 3 Carole and Eric Lewis 35 points