ANN Wheatstone and Bryan Matthews defied a stiff wind and squally showers to become the Herefordshire mixed champions and first winners of the Oswin Cup when the Hereford-shire GC pair carded a superb gross 78 - three clear of the field - at Kington.

Mother-and-son Janet and Gareth Williams (Kington) used local knowledge to win the handicap section with an impressive nett 69, also three shots clear of their closest rivals.

Results - Oswin Cup, scratch: 1 Ann Wheatstone and Bryan Matthews (Herefordshire) 78, 2 Emma Harris and Roy Eckley (Hereford) 81, 3 Amy Warley and Phil Green (Hereford Municipal) 82.

Nett: 1 Janet and Gareth Williams (Kington) 69, 2 Chris and Mel Hughes (Kington) 72 , 3 Audrey and Roy Fox (Kington) 73.

The mixed championships signalled the start of a series of county events which continues on Saturday when the Ladies' Championship is at Leominster.

The following Saturday, June 18, the men will be battling for the Scratch Cup and Eddie Evans Cup, a handicap event, at the South Herefordshire club.

Senior golfers will have their opportunity to find their county scratch and nett champion on Thursday, July 7, at Herefordshire GC, with the juniors having their day at Sapey on Monday, August 1.

There are a limited number of places left in the men's, senior and junior championships, and late entries can be made to the county secretary Terry Horobin on 01432 820491.