HINKSEY Heights are celebrating after winning the Hillman Trophy for the first time.

It came in thrilling fashion, thanks to Alasdair Watson’s sudden death play-off after Sunday’s final with Tadmarton Heath ended 3½-3½.

That was a fitting way to complete what had been a fairytale run for Hinksey, who had never before reached the last 32 of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Golf competition.

David Milne, who captained the side, said: “It’s quite a feat for a club like ours, which was one of the smallest in the competition.

“There was plenty of pressure on Alasdair at the end, with both teams and a few supporters following the play-off, but he handled it.

“We’re all delighted to have Hinksey Heights on the trophy alongside some big names.”

The victorious campaign started back in March, with a 4½-2½ win at Winter Hill, near Maidenhead.

Strong winds made life difficult in the second round at home to Reading, but the visitors were blown away in a 7-0 whitewash.

That made it Hinksey’s best run in the competition, but they pressed on with another thumping home win, 6-1 against Thorney Park.

A repeat score over visitors Wycombe Heights followed, but the quarter-final with Frilford Heath, again at home, was far tighter.

But a 4-3 success saw Hinksey through to the last four, where Temple were beaten by the same scoreline.

That set up a meeting with Tadmarton, at the Wychwood.

There was nothing to separate the two sides, but Watson came out on top in the second extra hole to secure Hinksey’s historic triumph.

CLUB RESULTS

NORTH OXFORD

Midweek Stableford: 1 G Cognoli 38pts, 2 D Willoughby 37 (cb), 3 C Hiles 37.

Kings Arms Golf Society (Members Cup Stableford): 1 I Wilkins 42pts, 2 B Crocker 41, 3 G Justice 40. Tony Harper Cup (best three scores from the three meetings): 1 G Deans 102pts. Nearest the pins – 2nd: C Varney. 8th: G Justice. 11th: B Reynolds. 15th: M French. 18th in two: C Varney.

Ladies Medal 18 – Silver Div: 1 J Brightman 96-18=78. Bronze Div: 1 G Davidson 90-22=68.

Joan Finch Trophy: 1 S Stewart, 2 J Brightman.