AFTER a gruelling season of 36 Lancashire County Red Rose League and challenge matches, Bury's Unsworth Hall course was in perfect condition for their prestigious end-of-season cup match against South East Lancashire League neighbours, Stand.

The home side were forced to make seven late changes to the side and when Stand skipper Dave Welsby and Alan Roberts turned two-up after nine against stand-in Bury captain Jim Pilkington and Peter Dawson the omens were not looking good.

Worse was to follow as Welsby proceeded to reel off four successive birdies to make it first blood for the cup holders by 6&5.

Bury's dream team of Ged Eckersley and Stuart Hindley kept up their season-long form to edge a cliffhanger against J Hall and I Wilde on the 18th before Trevor Grimshaw and Rick Boyd saw off G Duncan and A Wyatt 6&4 to put Bury 2-1 up.

Stand however stole the honours in the middle order. First, R Moss and T Brown were always in control against Ray Rosler and Rod Davis, finishing 5&4, then R Dalziel and K Lightfoot beat Glynn Evans and Dave Kerry on the last to lead 3-2.

With Bury needing to win all three remaining matches to regain the trophy, Jimmy Hardman and Mike Howarth soon went three down.

A remarkable display of stunning golf saw a seven-hole reversal against A Brocklehurst and B Sutcliffe to see the home pair square the match 4&3. Experienced players Ted Foster and Maurice Almond brought all their local knowledge and supreme skills to the fore as they stormed into a convincing lead against R Ashworth and J Butters to close down the game on the 13th by 6&5 to give Bury a 4-3 lead with one live match left on the course.

Par golf to the turn from Bury's final pairing of Dennis Taylor and Denny McInstry was enough to give them a three-hole lead which they sustained to the 13th against a very determined Chris Herbert and John Godfrey.

Two five's from the home pair increased the lead to four-up on the 14th tee and when both Bury men found the green with their tee shots and the Stand players came up short it signalled a 5&4 win for Bury as the home side won the match and the cup 5-3.