First solo success of the season for Thompson

Martyn Thompson celebrated his first appearance at Wiltshire course Upavon with a one-shot win over fellow Dorset player Paul Jones (Canford Magna).

The talented Parkstone professional, who is spending more time on the Europro Tour this summer, achieved his first solo win of the year although he topped the board in the Ferndown Invitational team pro-am and won the Lombard Trophy regional final on his home course. 

His key hole was the 488-yard seventh where he made an eagle three after making a birdie at the fifth and then dropped a shot at the next. Another birdie at the 15^th followed by a bogey at the 16^th brought him home in two-under 69.

"I was very impressed with the course and it helped having a slight breeze because the weather was so hot," he said.

Jones started with a birdie and added three more at the ninth, 15^th and 16^th, marred by three bogeys.

PGA Cup player Nick Brennan (Bowood) claimed third on level-par while Ben Newman (Ogbourne Downs) recovered from being four-over after seven to share fourth on 72. 

He was joined by home assistant Dan Carter who reached two-under-par until he dropped four shots in succession from the 12^th. Man of the moment Michael Watson (Wessex Golf Centre) was less consistent than usual and made just four birdies and shed five shots in his 72.

Thompson led an elite team of Mark Bridewell, Peter Slater and David Hopkins, who received five shots between them, into first place in the team section on 12-under-par 129.

Jones helped Martyn Evans, Kevin Ryalls and Chris Roberts into second on 133. Home PGA Professional Richard Blake's team of club captain Andy Hobbs, Simon Bere and Russ Greenwood finished third on countback.