RHYS Thompson bounced back from the disappointment of losing in last year’s final of the Durham County Matchplay Championship to clinch the trophy 12 months later.

The 19-year-old from Boldon lost in the final to Seaham’s David Patterson at the 20th after being two up with three to play at Wynyard last year.

He could have been forgiven for being a little nervous in this year’s final at Wearside when his opponent, Whickham’s Darren McCaig, birdied eight, nine and ten to come from one down to go one up.

But Thompson birdied the 17th to level the final and won by one hole on the 18th where McCaig was bunkered.

“What happened last year never crossed my mind,” said Thompson, who won the Northumberland and Durham Inter-County Foursomes Championship along with Gavin Nesbit for his club Boldon at the start of this year’s golf season.

“But it is nice to go one better and win the trophy this time.”

Semi-finals: R Thompson (Boldon) bt J Wilson (Tyneside) 5 & 3; D McCaig (Whickham) bt M Calvert (Boldon) 2 & 1. Final: Thompson bt McCaig 1 hole.

JESSICA HALL has done it again. The brilliant County Durham teenager has not only retained the Bishop Auckland Ladies Championship she won 12 months ago, but has clinched the County Ladies title too.

And at Brampton GC recently she made the cut and won the final of the Women’s Close Northern Counties Championship, which included all six northern Counties. She won the title by going one up after 17 and holing a 20 foot birdie putt on the 18th to win.

GOLFERS from across the region will be putting their all into an annual competition to raise money for charity.

This year’s City of Sunderland Mayor’s Charity Golf Day, organised by Konect Consultancy & Events, will take place at Wearside Golf Club on Friday, July 31.

The event, which will be officially opened by the Mayor of Sunderland, will support mental health charity Sunderland MIND, Sunderland Armed Forces Network and North East Disabilities Resource Centre.

Throughout the day teams of four will compete in the event which will follow a Texas Scramble format, meaning each team member will be given equal opportunity to have their first drive used as the initial shot.

The all-day event will include tea, coffee and a bacon roll on arrival, a two-course meal after the competition and a raffle, along with the chance to win a number of prizes for achievements such as winning team, nearest the pin and longest drive.