THE Stover Army go marching on and next up for them is the Palairet finals day.

In a highly competitive and spirited quarter-final against Libbaton at Woodbury, Stover Golf Club emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline. This win sets up a semi-final match against Sidmouth at Tiverton in two weeks.

As evident from the photo, it wasn’t just the 10 players on the field; the team received tremendous support from caddies and spectators, serving as the 11th man.

Libbaton were also the opponents for the Emerton Court team, the first leg taking place on home soil.

Higher handicaps benefitted the visitors with Neil Goddard & Andy Livingstone and Steve Allen & Barry Chubb, the first two Stover pairs, finding this out the hard way. Giving away shots proved the difference and they succumbed to a 3&2 and 1-down defeat respectively.

The scores were levelled though when John Hayman & Rob Phillips’ 2-up victory was followed up by a hard-fought 1-up win for Jeff Steward & Alan Turner in game four.

Mike Brewer & Rob Scotland were representing Stover in the final match and despite giving up six and 11 shots to their two opponents, they earned a half.

A home score of 2.5-2.5 isn’t bad at all but Libbaton won 5-0 and 4-1 in previous rounds on their own course so they had the edge for the return fixture.

This red-hot home form shone through as well with the opening duo, Rob Phillips & John Pitts, losing 6&5 and representing a sign of things to come.

Scotland and Brewer earned another half in the third match to offer a glimmer of hope but it was proceeded by a 7&6 defeat and succeeded by 6&5 and 4&2 defeats.

Going down 7-3 overall was a disappointing outcome but all games were played in great spirits and Stover wish Libbaton well in their upcoming semi-final clash with Torquay.

There was also an individual tournament of note taking place at Stover recently, in the form of the Ronald Hall Salver & Michelmore Cup.

Both were 36-hole events played in very conditions and they were for the best Scratch and Nett scores respectively.

Ronald Hall Salver winner Archie Christophers
Ronald Hall Salver winner Archie Christophers (Contributed)

Archie Christophers won the Ronald Hall Salver with a 3-over-par total of 147, rounds of 74 and 73 securing him top prize. Archie also picked up the Cock o’ Links Cup for the best scratch score by a Stover player.

John Ponsford followed up a very steady morning round of Nett 75 with a blistering second round of Nett 67, his 2-under total of 142 leading the pack. Congratulations go to the pair of them.