THE 2025 Sam Loader Cup delivered an exciting day of competitive play at Oake Manor golf Club, with 40 teams of four teeing off in two shotgun starts, one in the morning and the second in the afternoon which set the tone for a lively and closely contested event.

Emerging victorious with 87 points were Martin Rayson, Ryan Warfield, Simon Dyke, and Tim Dyke, who claimed first place with consistent play and strong teamwork throughout the round. Michael Osguthorpe, Martin Rivers, Mark Tydings, and Andrew Thompson secured a close second with 86 points. Rounding out the podium in third place were Jamie Tong, Mark Popham, Jack Jones, and Richard Barker, who finished on 85 points.

The top six teams were separated by just four points, highlighting the competitive nature of the day. In fourth place were Daniel White, Martin Adams, Owen Irish and James Symonds with 84 points, fifth were Simon Molloy, Jamie Bidiscombe, Oliver Beynon and Sam Prior, 84 points, while in sixth place were Stuart Coleman, Matthew Durbin, Phillip Coleman and Callum Foster with 83 points.

The event also raised several hundreds of pounds for the Charity Papyrus uk which is dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

In the Ladies Sunday Stableford Competition, Janet Howe came first with 34 points, narrowly beating Kathy Salway, also with 34 points on count back. Mary Beakes was third with 32 points.

Nathaniel Pepperell won division one of the Monday Bank Holiday Stableford Competition, scoring 36 points, Martin Adams came second, also with 36 points while Robin Trott was third with 35 points. The overall winner of the day was Barry Roberts who won division two with 38 points, Charlie Young came second with 34 points while Ashley Hewitt was third with 33 points.

PETER SWANN