Round six of Maldon Golf Club’s Ben Volta Winter League was a closely-fought contest.

This was the final qualifying Sunday before the Christmas break and the betterball medal contest attracted a field of 27 pairs, with all players receiving three-quarters handicap allowance.

It proved to be a tight contest with only one shot separating the top five pairs.

First place went to Mark Hinton and Roy Hurren with nett 67.

Second, on countback, were Alan Dunsdon and his substitute partner Dave Poynton.

Third place on nett 68 went to Dan Gardner and Christos Ryan on countback from Pete Scanes and Chris Purkiss in fourth and Nick Rushen and Ricky Todd in fifth.

The nearest-the-pin prizes went to Pete Scanes on the par three fifth/14th hole and Darren Mason for the closest second shot to the par four sixth/15th hole.

Two qualifying rounds remain in the first of two leagues and, with no further qualifying Sundays until January 3, the current league standings show that Pete Hawkins and Martyn Cook remain in first place on 100 points.

Alan Buckingham and Sam Cummins retain second place with 97 points while Ricky Todd and Nick Rushen sit in third place with 84.