Sheringham captain Tony Richards won a tough battle against the weather and his fellow competitors to win the Norfolk Seniors' Championship at Marriott Sprowston Manor.

The 82 players found the course in excellent shape – but the blustery conditions made scoring difficult, and in the end Richards' impressive gross 77 proved just enough to clinch the silverware.

He pipped defending champion David Pattrick from Royal Cromer, who recorded a gross 78 and took second spot ahead of former Derbyshire and Norfolk cricketer Roger Finney of Eaton, also on 78, on countback.

Finney was left a rue a two-shot penalty during the course of his round when he inadvertently teed off from the wrong position.

The final podium places went to John Tavener of Weston Park (79) and Robert Pateman of Swaffham taking (80).

The new champion will now go forward to Woodhall Spa in September to represent Norfolk in the England Golf Seniors Champion of Champions Tournament.

The Handicap crown went to home player Patrick Hancock with a gross 80 and a nett of 68, the only sub-par round of the day, reflecting just how tough the conditions were.

Fellow home club players Cliff Beck and Paul Kerry finished second and third respectively after 72s while Barry Wortley finished fourth with a nett 74 and Steve Quick of Eaton fifth with a nett 75.

The Scratch Team Shield honours went to Eaton with Roger Finney (78), Richard Blakey (83) and Paul Pritty (85) returning a total of 246.

The Handicap Team Shield was won by hosts Sprowston Manor with a nett total of 220. The team was made up of Paul Kerry (72 nett), Cliff Beck (72 nett) and Gabriel McAllister (76 nett).