MARLBOROUGH’S Ben Amor successfully defended the Wiltshire Age Group Championships after a thrilling sudden-death play-off victory over Corey Sheppard.

Strong winds and the threat of rain made for tough playing conditions at Cumberwell but the youngsters made light work of it with 10 players in the 39-strong field returning scores of level handicap or better.

The best of the early starters was 11-year-old James Cooper, who took full advantage of home course knowledge to return a superb 80 off his 16 handicap.

It was a long time before the score was bettered by another member of the Amor clan, Jamie, with 75 and then fellow 14-year-old Charles Dunn who carded a 74.

As the lower handicappers came into play at the end of the field, Dunn’s score was matched by Will Brown, Jamie Jobbins, Gregg Hood and Jake Vallis resulting in the prospect of a five-man play-off.

But the last two groups produced some exceptional returns. Henry Pallas produced a 73 to take third place, while High Post golfer Sheppard and defending champion Amor both shot 72 to share top spot.

With the light fading and the rain starting to come down the top two returned to the first tee for their play-off.

Sheppard’s approach to the green finished 20 feet away and a courageous putt just slipped past the hole for a certain four.

But Amor played the hole to perfection with a huge 320-yard drive to the right of the fairway, a beautifully controlled wedge to 10 feet and a confident putt for a birdie three which secured the title for the second year running.

It was ominously good golf from the 16-year-old, who still has two years left to contest this tournament again before graduating to the senior ranks.