JERSEY’S golfers have forged a formidable lead in their bid to retain the Garenne Seniors Challenge Trophy at Royal Jersey.

After yesterday’s five four-ball, better-ball matches they were leading Guernsey by 4 1/2 to 1/2.

It meant that they needed 3 1/2 points from today’s ten singles matches.

But four of yesterday’s games went to the final hole before Terry Smith and Ted Le Gresley, Vic Bourgoise and Gerald Binding and Geoff Ramskill and Barry Thorp claimed one-up victories.

Charlie Smith and John O’Neill won comfortably as they beat Sarnians Hedley Ablitt and Geoff Davies 3 and 2.

Meanwhile Bart McCarthy and Kevin O’Toole halved with John Cavet and Pat McKearey.

Results: Terry Smith and Ted Le Gresley bt Roy Corbet and Keith Jeffreys 1 up; Vic Bourgoise and Gerald Binding bt Mickie King and Ken Giles 1 up; Geoff Ramskill and Barry Thorp bt Richard Vaudin and Nial Counihan 1 up; Bart McCarthy and Kevin O’Toole halved with John Cavet and Pat McKearey; Charlie Smith and John O’Neill bt Hedley Ablitt and Geoff Davies 3&2.