MONMOUTH Golf Club's first home friendly match of 2006 saw visitors Forest Hills get several close match-ups, but ended in Monmouth winning 5-3.

In the lead match Monmouth captain David Crocker, paired with Brian Buckland, allowed the visitors' skipper Richard Mudge and Fran Beale to go three up after three holes but came back to square up at six. In a low-scoring game, three twos were recorded and the visitors won on the last green.

Monmouth's four wins came from Ade Morgan/Malcolm Jones, Rob Williams/Karl Heffernan, Rob Dore/Phil LeRiche and Steve Moncur/Nigel Morris. Jack Spary/Anto Spary and Wayne Wadley/Matt Davis both halved their matches.

The return match, scheduled for September, will decide the winner of the Wye Challenge Cup.

Earlier friendlies at Forest of Dean saw the hosts record a 4-2 win, with Monmouth's points coming from the pairings of Rob Williams/Phil LeRiche and Ade Morgan/Anto Spary. A rain-interrupted trip to Lydney then saw Monmouth's Garth Lamb/Rob Cleaves and Rob Dore/Anto Spary winning but Monmouth losing 3 1/2 - 2 1/2.

And in the return fixture with the Forest of Dean, Monmouth lost 5-3, with wins for Nigel Morris/Rob Dore, Richard Davis/Anto Spary and Ade Morgan/Matt Davis. Forthcoming fixtures are away to Ross on Wye on April 22 and then at Rollsof Monmouth on April 29.

l Monmouth Golf club had over 30 youngsters turn out for the first Juniors Tuesday practise of the summer, with sessions weekly from 4pm.

New members are welcome to try up to three sessions before deciding whether to commit to membership. Contact Peter Tully on 01600 712212 for more details.