WEST Essex golfer Ross Spurgeon took third in the Chigwell Bowl and second in the Colts Championship at Chigwell Golf Club on Saturday.

The recent winner of the Keating Trophy racked up two consistent rounds of 72 to finish third in the under-25 competition and second in the under-21 contest with a total of 144, five behind Ballards' Gore winner Daniel Capps.

West Essex team-mate Reece Phillips was in third after the first round with a score of 72, nett 68, but slipped back a little with a second round of 75, nett 71. He claimed the first handicap prize however.

Adam Winwood, of North Weald, finished in joint eighth with 148 overall. Jack Wright, of West Essex, was one stroke behind on 149, with Jack Winer of Woolston Manor recording 150.

Meanwhile Essex won 7-5 in a county match against Middlesex in foul weather at North Weald Golf Club on Sunday.

The course, which will next year hold the County Championship, stood up well to the weather conditions. Local boys Spurgeon and Winwood helped Essex to a 3-1 lead after the morning foursomes, beating Justin Phelps and Mark Thorn 2&1.

In the afternoon singles, Spurgeon sealed the match with a 4&3 win over Thorn to make it 7-4 to Essex, but Winwood, one up for most of his match, went down to a fine putt on the last green by Phelps.