Double eagles for top man Stuart

Former European Tour player Stuart Little eagled his way to his first West win in almost two years in the North Wilts 125^th anniversary pro-am.

The powerful left-handed teaching professional at Minchinhampton New Golf Club made the only two eagles of the day. He began the shotgun start limited-field event, dreamed up by host professional Graham Laing, with a par, birdie, bogey and eagle.

After his three at the par-five fourth he holed his second shot on the 330-yard eighth. But he was inconsistent so four bogeys restricted him to a two-under-par 69.

However he entered the winner’s circle for the first time since success at Tiverton and was joined by two of his best pals, the Dudsbury pair Mark Wiggett and Lee Thompson, whom he coaches. Thompson was the outright winner the previous year under the club's usual 36-hole pro-am format.

Wiggett was four-under-par until he bogeyed the ninth to turn in 33, but he returned in one-over 36. Thompson made birdies at the first and fourth and returned in par after two birdies and two bogeys.

The trio were two shots ahead of Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew), Russ Berry (Professional Golf Europe) and Ross Langdon (Gloucester).

Roy Holland (Long Ashton) led the winning team of Ross Porter, Ben Sawyer and George Worthington on 16-under-par 126, two better than Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) with John Angell, John Gaffney and Dan Farthing. Paul Jones (Canford Magna) led the ladies team of June Poffley, Jenny Wright and Annie James into third.