MICHAELWerner collected his first Bournemouth Alliance trophy for a decade, thanks to a magnificent start at Canford Magna.

The 62-year-old wholesale greengrocer dropped only three shots in his first nine holes. Heading for a sensational score, he faltered badly coming home and spilled ten further shots.

The 15-handicap member at Isle of Purbeck for 25 years said: "I fell away badly. I thought I might get among the prizes but didn't think I would win, as there were 70 players in the field.

"I kept the ball in play as much as I could. I don't hit the ball as far as I used to."

Purbeck pro Ian Brake, his playing partner, said: "He hits the ball very straight that's the secret."

Werner last won at Ferndown when he shared top place with former pro Ian Sparkes.

He carded a gross 84 for a net 69 to win the R A Whitcombe Trophy by one shot from three amateurs (Jeff Copperwaite (Dudsbury 80-70), Marcus Cahill (Meyrick Park 86-70), amateur scratch winner Ashley Coombes (Canford Magna 74-70) and two professionals.

Late entrant Gary Emerson (Broadstone) went out first and carded a one-under-par 70 alongside Kevin Spurgeon (Dudsbury). They each won £175 as the leading professionals.

They were followed by: 71 Michael Watson (Weymouth), Martyn Thompson (Parkstone) 72 Sean McDonagh (Rushmore Park), 73 Paul Jones (Canford Magna), Derwynne Honan (The Dorset) 74 Mark Wiggett (Dudsbury), Adam Sawyer (Ashley Wood), 75 Mathew Wilson (Broadstone), Steve Pockneall (Ferndown Forest).

The team prize for the Gow Cleek went to Dudsbury quartet Spurgeon, Wiggett, Copperwaite and Geoff Willcocks.

Emerson started by dropping a shot at the first and suffered a double bogey at the ninth. But birdies at the second, third and sixth kept him on level 35 by the turn. He moved to three-under after a birdie at the tenth and an eagle at the par-five 12th when his second 2-iron shot finished 15 feet from the pin and he holed the putt. But he dropped two more shots at the 13th and 15th.

Spurgeon had to wait until the 12th for the first of his three birdies the other came at 15 and 17 and he bogeyed the third and 14th.

He said: "I was struggling with my chipping. That cost me two shots. I managed to move the ball a foot on one hole and about four feet on another.

"I've got a new driver the ball is going miles so I am looking forward to the new season."