ANDY STOCKS continued his headlong rush towards becoming a single-figure golfer with a two-shot success in the Victory Cup, the club nett championship at Cirencester.

Andy, who had won the Douggie Rolles Cup in July, one of the first major competitions at the club after golf’s return, shot a nett 138 (70, 68) off his new handicap of 11. And he now faces a further cut to 10.

In very difficult conditions on Saturday, he opened and closed with a birdie, and on the final afternoon he again closed with a birdie to secure the title.

“In the Victory Cup, there is pressure on every shot so I was delighted to put together two good scores,” said Andy, who has had only two or three lessons in his life.

“I got off to a perfect start on Saturday with a drive, nine iron and curling 5-foot birdie putt on the first hole (fourth) and I played the front nine in about level par both days.

“On Sunday, I missed only one fairway, and when I floated an 8-iron into the closing hole for a two-putt birdie I felt I was safe.

“It’s my first year as a member at Cirencester and I have a great rivalry with my best friend Andy Lewis – we push each other to improve all the time, and I’m glad the hard work has paid off.

“I’m hoping to get down to 6 or 7 handicap next year.”

Runner-up James Moorcroft put together two very steady rounds of 69 and 71 for 140, the same score as third-placed club champion Charlie Harraway.

Victory Cup (nett scores)

1st – Andy Stocks (70,68) 138; 2nd – James Moorcroft (69,71) 140; 3rd – Charlie Harraway (69,71) 140; 4th – Chris Yeates (73,68) 141; 5th – Greg Carter (73,68); 6th – Archie Day (73,69) 142; 7th – Andy Bradley (72,70) 142; 8th – Adam Collins (72,70) 142; 9th – Andy Lewis (71,71) 142; 10th – Pete Stone (71,71) 142.

F J Hinds Salver (best nett score for a handicapper of 18 or above): Greg Carter.