THERE was some outstanding golf played at Settle over the weekend with a good turnout of players looking to get their hands on the Birkbeck Cup.

Club treasurer John Terry set the early pace with a very competitive two-under-par nett 68, giving him a two-shot lead over John Read.

Of the later starters it was Peter Eccleston,playing his first game since a knee replacement operation, who held off a determined challenge from playing opponent Martin Scaife, and became the clubhouse leader with an excellent nett 65.

This score proved unassailable, although Chris Sharp returned the lowest gross score of the day with an exceptional 78,which was five shots better than the next best gross score..

Sharp is currently in great form having recently returned a gross par 70 on the tricky Settle course.

Eccleston's winning score saw him rewarded with a two-shot reduction to his handicap in addition to winning the Birkbeck Cup.