Matchplay title for Ryall

Former European Seniors winner George Ryall started the Gloucester and Somerset PGA winter season by winning the Courage Matchplay for the fourth time at Chipping Sodbury – 27 years after his first victory and his first since 1997.

The Worlebury teaching professional, who is 60 this month, beat Bristol & Clifton’s Luke Collins 4 and 3 in the final. The second seed started by beating home club manager Robin Goodey on the 17th green and followed with a 2 and 1 success against Henbury’s Michael Hunt before eliminating Henbury’s Luke Derrick on the 14th green in the semi-final.

Collins first beat Luke Gaskins (Brickhampton Court), then ousted Mark Pitcher (Stinchcombe Hill) on the 18th and Kristian Crane (Cotswold Edge) by two holes in the semi-final.

Top seed and defending champion Ed Goodwin (Cirencester) lost 3 and 2 in the first round to Sherdons assistant Josh Davies. He had to settle for success in the Plate competition when he beat n Goodey by 5 and 4.

With Marston’s once again supporting the event under their Courage banner a significant prize fund was on offer for the 16 players.