A TEAM representing the host Runcorn Golf Club walked off with the first prize at Runcorn Linnets' Corporate Golf Day, which was voted a great success by organisers and participants alike.

The winners carded 85 Stableford points for their round at the Clifton Road course, the 16 teams having all enjoyed good golfing weather for the four-ball better ball competition, sponsored by the Linnets' main club sponsors, Millbank.

Runners-up, two points behind, were Haydock company Fibre Drums who finished a point clear of the third-finishing Apec Taxis of Runcorn, the Linnets' match day programme sponsors.

The successful Golf Club team received golf bags as first prize with a four-ball voucher for the Belfry (plus four bottles of wine) going to the team in second. The third-placed quartet received golf shoe bags and Callaway golf balls.

The teams' pursuit of a Ford Fiesta car from TrustFord Runcorn, on offer for the first hole-in-one at the 8th, ended in disappointment.

John Jenkin, a regular sponsor of the Linnets and a Runcorn Golf Club past captain, got agonisingly close - within six feet of the flag - watched by the football club's treasurer Phil Wainwright and Trust Board member Reg Woods, who were adjudicating.

Nearest the pin prizes went to Phil Downey (5th hole ), Simon Roach (15th) and Jeff Shaw (18th). The longest drive was from Matthew Darlington at the 7th.

Derek Greenwood, Runcorn Linnets chairman, said: "The event was a great success and the feedback we received showed that everybody thoroughly enjoyed their day.

"We were fortunate that the forecast showers held off and all the teams were able to complete their rounds in dry and favourable conditions.

"The course looked an absolute picture and the food and hospitality in the clubhouse were excellent, as always."

Runcorn Golf Club officials and staff were on hand to help Hedley Edwards, Kel Hoose, Stuart White and Ste Bignall, Golf Day organisers from the football club, ensure that the event ran smoothly.

Margaret Batters, ladies' section press officer at the golf club, welcomed the teams at registration; starter Gordon Horswill, a RGC member and long-standing Linnets supporter, set the players on their way at the 1st tee while Tommy Martin and Ken Stevenson assisted Linnets Trust Board members Rob and Lynn Johnston in providing welcome refreshment for the golfers at the "halfway house" off the ninth green.

The triumphant golf club team included club secretary at Clifton Road, Neil Kenwright, , who played for Runcorn AFC in the late 1970s.

The competitors also featured former Linnets players from the 1990s , Ian Brady (a member of the '93 and '94 Wembley teams) and Neil Doherty plus Terry Murphy, assistant to manager John Williams during the original club's successful spell in the early '80s.

Fighting the corner for the modern-day Linnets were club manager Joey Dunn along with first-team centre forward Freddie Potter and goalkeeper Richie Mottram, whose dad Richie Snr completed the line-up.

Runcorn Linnets thank Millbank for sponsoring the event and also individual hole sponsors Burton Beavon (club accountants), Kelfin independent accountancy firm), Apec Taxis, John Jenkin, Grangeside Recovery (Weston Road), Liverpool-based sports insurance company allsportsvi and Runcorn Linnets Ground Development Group – along with TrustFord Runcorn for raffle prizes.

The overall success of the day was testimony to the efforts of the organising committee and generosity of the participants and supporters. Congratulations to all winners: Results.

Team event 1st – Runcorn Golf Club (Tom Gibbons, Tony Gibbons, John Colquitt, Neil Kenwright) 85pts.

2nd – Fibre Drums Ltd (Ste Cunniffe, Nigel Cunniffe, Brendan Douse, Chris Gilhooley) 83pts.

3rd – Apec Taxis (Jimmy Rockliffe, Keith Davies, Rob Lupton, Derek Cliffe) 82pts.

Nearest the pin: 5th – Phil Downey (17ft 11 in) 18th – Jeff Shaw (2ft 8in).

Nearest the pin (in two shots): 15th Simon Roach (6.10cm).

Longest drive 7th – Matthew Darlington (KDE Ltd).