There was also a charge from the pre-championship favourite Andy Sullivan who opened with a 71, then was –3 for the first 8 holes of the afternoon. A bogey then a double bogey put paid to success for Sullivan as he prepares for the British Boys. Andy finally finished third in the Boys Championship.

Elsewehere, James Crompton equalled Marson’s 69 for R1, and Duncan Elbury was on 70. Crompton is completing a PGA Diploma course and Elbury, once a member of a winning Warwickshire Schools Team, is just returning to top level golf. His fellow club member Adam Gray (also U21) was on 72, one shot back from Jack Sant (Ladbrook). None of these early pace-setters could repeat their level of golf in the afternoon and did not challenge for the trophies and medals.

For David Harris, not being able to get a practice round proved very costly. Harris is used to this type of competition at his US College and will surely take a Warwickshire title at some stage in his career. His opening 74 included a couple of mistakes and there were a few bogies in Harris’s second round to go with six birdies at the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th and courtesy of a 4 wood to 10ft, a finishing two. It would not quite be good enough.

Neil Taylor (also a Junior at Rugby) seemed out of things after a morning 78. His 68 to finish was a completely different performance and it was vital in helping Rugby to both team titles.

As the afternoon progressed, Rob Browning got to –2 after 29 holes only to fade over the finish. He will though catch up a few JoM points on Sullivan. There were three birdies on the ‘spin’ through the 6th, 7th and 8th.

Mark Davies, eventual U21s Runner-up, made progress throughout the afternoon, making red numbers at the 2nd, 4th and the 10th until he also fell back although it was very tense right up until the 18th.

‘I worked hard up to the Carris’, said Marson after his win, ‘then I called it quits when I started work for the Summer, although I make sure I have 9 holes practice every night.

It has been a much better season from after the Mens Amateur where Dale was in the Top 5. he followed that up by being Top 10 at the Midland Schools and then doing the same at the England Schools to claim his first England cap.

There were seven birdies in Marson’s first 69 (plus mistakes) –

‘Everything was OK in the morning, then odd silly mistake. In the afternoon I only made three birdies and my putting and driving was ‘quality’ to keep me under par.’

The 138 total and the performance from Neil Taylor will take Rugby to the EGU Champion Club competition for Juniors in October. They were joined in taking the U21s trophy by Adam Gray.

Later this week, there will be news of Nett success for the Street family, and the full scoreboards for all the championships. There will be also additions to the Picture Gallery for 2004.

We apologise for those trying for Live Scoring but there were problems with obtaining a connection to upload the results – this facility will be there for the Warwickshire Open.