Wensum Valley Seniors got their hands on the Hodds Salver for the third time in seven years after seeing off King's Lynn in an exciting final at Eaton.

Although the weather was less than kind, players were able to enjoy some of the revised holes following the latest improvements under new course manager Rob Ransome and a match between two evenly matched sides was in the balance until the final ball was struck.

After the ninth it was all square in matches one and two but in third game King's Lynn captain Richard Kerkham and David Dunsmore had a three-hole deficit to make up over Sid Sidhu and Gordon McCulloch. The Lynn pair had been one up but problems on the par three seventh and nine holes had shifted the balance. The final match saw Wensum Valley leading by four holes overall as captain Chriss Sturman and Ray Cooper led Ron Laing and John Weatherhead by one.

Walking off the 18th green Lynn's first pair Philip Gurr and Peter Coote carded a healthy lead of five holes over Phil Hewitt and Trevor Barker but then Wensum's second pair Mike Johnson and Keith Childerhouse came in three up over Barry Smith and Chris Cawthorne to reduce the deficit.

As the third match ended, Sidhu and McCulloch were two up to level the match overall and everything hinged on the final group. As the rain continued to fall the final Valley pair of Sturman and Cooper left the 18th with an impressive four hole victory, and the match was all over.

At the presentations, proud skipper Sturman said: 'We are so pleased to win the Hodds Salver for the third time. King's Lynn proved to be very worthy and sporting opponents and the match was in doubt until the final couple of holes. Huge thanks to Eaton Golf Club for their hospitality in allowing the final to be played on their excellent course.'

The annual winter foursomes competition is for senior club golfers who did not play the previous season in the Myhill, Cullington or Barnard competitions - the many three county team events - but who still relish the idea of friendly competition.

The series has gone from strength to strength, and next autumn some 26 clubs will once again contest the Salver.