BEFORE the advent of the deep midwinter break, Malton & Norton Golf Club and Fulford GC wrapped up Cross Trophy conquests.

The two leaders in the York Union of Golf Clubs’ prestigious winter competition each shared triumphs but Malton & Norton closed the gap on their rivals at the head of the rankings before the competition is shelved until its return at the end of February.

Malton & Norton pairings dominated the Cross Trophy 7 round at their own Welham Park-based course.

The first out home club pairing of Ian Charlton and Gordon Kelly set the initial target of 64.

Inroads were finally made on that by the Forest Park GC axis of Darren Dunning, the former York City midfielder who is now manager of Old Malton St Mary’s, and John Martin.

Their round of 63 was the benchmark almost through the day until it was matched by Stewart Clough and Charlie Emsley of The Oaks, who went in to the lead by virtue of a better back nine.

But they were relegated into the runners-up position by Malton & Norton GC’s Andy Thompson and Ian Johnson who posted 62.

There was an equally tight leader-board at Sandburn Hall GC, the venue of the Cross Trophy 8 round.

First place went to the Fulford pairing of Jamie Miller, this summer’s Yorkshire Amateur champion, and one-time king of the boxing ring, Henry Wharton.

The duo’s score of 63 was equalled by York GC’s Glen Renton and Dave Varley but the profitable Miller-Wharton double act had a better last six holes to prevail.

Three pairings were locked on 64, but the third place honour went to Forest Park GC’s Alan Shearer and Iain Angus, again with a better last six, ahead of Jon Devey and Neil Savage of The Oaks.

That meant that though Fulford headed the results at Sandburn Hall, their second pairing could only manage a 66, and with Malton & Norton’s better finishing at Malton, the gap at the top was narrowed.

Fulford now head Malton & Norton by 12 strokes, with York leapfrogging both Kirkbymoorside and Pike Hills to move into third place, a further eight behind Malton & Norton.

The Cross Trophy resumes in February with six more rounds - and 18 counting scores to go.