TWINS Ben and Joe Williams claimed Colchester Golf Club's Winter League Trophy for the third time in four years.

They beat Martin Halls and Danny Simmons in the final, after the pairs had battled through from an original field of more than 120 players.

It was a massive achievement for both pairs to battle through the best and worst of the winter.

But to win this much coveted trophy for the third time is a unique and unparalleled achievement.

Dominic Bibby enjoyed the delights of an early summer safely to win the Lombard Trophy Medal.

Playing off 16, Bibby had a nondescript front nine showing seven over par.

But his back nine sparkled and he stood on the 18th tee just one over par.

This strong back nine gave him enough momentum to take him clear of Michael Blakebrough (ten), who also returned a nett 65.

Both players were four shots clear of Jeff Johnson (14) and Richard Withnall (three) who returned 69s.

Withnall also returned the lowest gross of the day.

Stuart MacAulay (5) and Steve Jennings (5) returned handicap-equalling nett 70s.

Colchester GC ladies played a stableford where 31-handicapper Romany Foster returned a winning card of 35 points.

She finished two clear of Marilyn Free, also playing off 31.

Julie Dicks (13) in third place lost out to Free on countback with Jane Madge (24) on 32 points and Lynda Hilliard (18) on 30 finishing fifth from a field of 48 ladies.

Colchester GC's Vets are now well into their season of friendlies.

Results are not going their way, with a solitary win from the four matches played so far.

They were beaten by Stoke by Nayland GC at home the first time since 2004, in their latest match.

Vets’ Captain Clive Kerr has promised to sharpen up the team for the next series of matches.

Colchester GC held an internal International Match, with members representing their home nations in a four-sided event. Played in the glorious sunshine of last weekend, it was always likely to provide a controversial result.

After a hard-fought competition with much internal jousting, the score between England and Wales was level.

To decide the winner both teams dropped their lowest score and England were controversially declared victorious amid much rumour and counter-rumour of rigging and placing sleepers in teams.