Ferndown assistant professional Scott Godfrey was the first to acknowledge the debt he owed to his 12-handicap amateur partner Simon Brouard as they won the opening Bournemouth Alliance meeting of the year.

Brouard improved the team score on 10 holes as the pair carded came net ten-under-par 60 to win the Alf Perry betterball trophy at Knighton Heath.

But they only pipped Canford Magna's Paul Jones and Alan Rowles (Dudsbury) for the main prize on countback. Adam Saw-yer (Dudsbury) and Paul Torrible (Broadstone) were third on 61.

Brouard said: "We dovetailed brilliantly and Scott anchored us as a team with an impressive round of 69 - one bogey, two birdies and the rest pars. You know Scott will never mess things up. I know people will talk about my handicap but I played in every Alliance event last year, which was my first, and never won a thing."

He also paid tribute to Ferndown club pro Neil Pike who sorted out both his posture and alignment in a lesson last week.

Godfrey, aged 26, is now completing his third year as a pro after an illustrious amateur career in Cornwall where he won the English Amateur, played for England and qualified to play in The Open at Royal St Georges in 2003. His final exams are in April.

His 69, matched by James Baldwin (Parkstone) who made 17 pars and a birdie, earned a share of fourth place in the pro medal.

Jones and Nigel Tokely (Remedy Oak) shot 68 but Mark Wiggett was the clear winner with a sparkling four-under 66 on a day when the course was only made playable by the diligent efforts of greenkeeper Roger Myatt and his staff.

Wiggett dropped his only shot on the eighth and bagged five birdies in a round that suggests he will again be a formidable performer this season.

Other selected pro scores: 71 David Miles (Iford), Lee Thompson (Dudsbury), Sawyer, Neil Pike (Ferndown) and Martyn Thompson (Parkstone).

Amateurs: Selwyn Burke (Broadstone) 71.