SONNING Golf Club put up a brave fight before losing 7-5 to the RAF Golf Society at Woodhall Spa.

Sonning had it all to do after losing 5-1 on the opening day over the famous Hotchkin Course at the Lincolnshire venue.

Tom Morrison and John Butcher were the only Sonning pair to win a match after a 2&1 victory, while Bill Branagh and Chris Gurney Jr (1dn), Richard Ginn and Graham Burgess (5&4), Duncan Forbes and Malcolm Reid l (3&2), Paul Gold and Richard Shillito (5&4) plus Derry Lewis and Peter Davidson (1dn) all lost.

Sonning’s fortunes changed on day two over the Bracken course resulting in a 4-2 win.

There were victories for Branagh and Ginn (6&5), Reid and Davidson (4&3) and Gold and Lewis (5&3).

Gurney Jr and Burgess halved their match, as did Forbes and Morrison, while Butcher and Shillito lost 6&4.

Special mention went to Morrison for returning 1.5 points, and to Gurney Jr and Burgess who fought back from four down with five holes to play to gain an excellent half.

Sonning will host the RAF at their Berkshire course later in the year when the teams will compete for the Clyne Trophy.

Sonning’s junior team lost 5-0 at Henley in their latest league fixture. Captain Jack Green, Chris Harding, Fen Law and Isaac Thompson all put up a strong fight but were beaten by their opponents on their home turf. Sonning did not contest the fifth match.