JOHN Cogan has claimed a magnificent seventh Test Valley Golf Club Championship, beating nearest rival Chris Forrister by three shots.

Forrister was ahead after 18 holes, shooting a two-over-par round of 73 to lead Cogan by one, but the six-time winner showed his class during the second round, when the competitors found scoring much harder.

A closing round of 78 (+7) proved enough for Cogan to claim the title once more as Forrister could only manage an 11-over par score of 82.

Jake Heaver and Adam Davies shared third place, two shots further back, thanks to rounds of 79 (+8) and 78 (+7).

Barry Chapman claimed the handicap prize with net scores of 68 (-3) and 67 (-4), beating Jon Sankey by four shots. Julie Ede was a further two shots back in third.

Jon Hibberd was the winner of the men’s championship, beating Mark Kitching in a play-off after both recorded 36-hole scores of 152 (+10). Jake Heaver was a shot back in third.

Richard Sanders was the handicap winner with a four-over-par total of 146, one shot clear of Steve Barham, with Tim Vokes a further two strokes back in third.

The Ladies Championship was won by Rachel McAlpine, who shot rounds of 74 (+2) and 83 (+11) to beat runner-up Dawn Pearson by an impressive 11 shots.

Ede was a further four shots back in third but won the handicap title thanks to two nett rounds of 68 (-4).

Jenny Winch was five shots behind in second, with Mandy Macmillan third, a further three strokes back.

Hibberd made it a double by winning the seniors championship with a 36-hole total of 157 (+15).

Barry Stevens was five shots behind in second, nine ahead of third-placed Colin Boag.

Peter Trendell was the seniors handicap champion with a nett total of 141 (-1).

Second-placed Mark Dawson was two stokes back, two ahead of third-placed Chris Reid.

Jay Dawson was the senior ladies champion, beating Moyna Chown on countback after both shot +43 for two rounds.

Chown’s opening round of 88 had her four shots ahead of Dawson at the halfway stage. However, Chown could only shoot 97 in the second round and Dawson was more consistent, shooting 93 to draw level and claim the title on countback.

Jenny Winch was a distant third, 17 shots behind the top two.

Valda Martyn won the handicap title with a nett total of 143 (-1). Dawson was eight shots back in second, with Winch again third, three strokes further adrift.