DESPITE missing several key players, Braintree Golf Club booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Thornton Challenge Cup with a 10-5 victory at Forrester Park.

The morning foursomes were closely-fought with two games going to the 18th, but Braintree went into lunch with a 3-2 lead.

However, the Stisted squad took control in the singles.

Big wins for Ed Fullalove (5&3), Paul Buchan (4&3) and Martin Hawes (7&6) edged them towards victory before further successes from Anthony Little (2&1) and Sean Kelly (6&5) saw them over the line.

Braintree lost only one singles match with four games halved.

Meanwhile, several bogey competitions, both men’s and ladies, have been held at Stisted.

On Saturday, Peter Rigby emerged victorious on plus 5 off a handicap of five, edging out Chris Cooper (8) on countback.

Three players returned plus 2, with Elliott Pegram (9) taking third spot ahead of Alasdair Groves (20) and Kevin Carling (10).

The Sunday bogey brought a familiar name into the frame.

Nigel Thurley, winner of the Rose Bowl a week earlier, came out on top again despite having his handicap cut from 20 to 18.

He finished on plus 1, with Rob Whitbread (7) runner-up on level ahead of five players on minus 1 - James Ronald (8), Andrew Goldsmith (8), Michael Latta (7), Andrew Marsay (14) and Ian Davis (13).

The ladies’ Midsummer Bogey was won by Dora Smith on level off a handicap of 28.

Three players returned minus 1 scores, with Anita Marlborough taking second spot on countback from Sue Scott (20) and Eva Kajsa Bolland (22).