Chigwell's Louella Hitchcock turned a singles defeat into a stunning team triumph by winning a sudden-death play-off at the Belfry on Monday.

Louella, the club's rock solid 19th hole specialist, shattered Immingham's Michelle Willerton in an extra-time shootout, only moments after being hammered by the same opponent.

Chigwell's eighth straight win has earned the star quartet an all expenses paid trip to San Roque, Spain, to compete in the Mail on Sunday Finals next month.

The tense climax came with the scores deadlocked at 2-2 and the duo were nominated by their respective team captains to settle the match in a head-to-head playoff.

Chigwell team skipper Clare Robson said: "I knew Louella would get us through even though her opponent was the Lincolnshire champion.

"She won at the fifth extra hole a few weeks ago and has a brilliant temperament under pressure."

Victory was sealed when Ms Willerton dumped her approach shot into a fairway ditch at the first extra hole and Louella's safety first policy paid off handsomely.

Chigwell's win had been underpinned by Louise Jensen and Nicky Sparks who both gained valuable points after Maura Folan had been beaten.

Louella Hitchcock who lives in Loughton and is a personnel officer with a Waltham Forest housing consortium reflected: "I was bitterly disappointed to lose my singles match but a few minutes later I was standing on the tee all square against the same opponent and that gave me a massive mental lift.

"What's the secret? Well, I just get my head down and plot my way around each hole without worrying too much about my opponent.

"I hope the same strategy pays off in Spain if the national team final rests on my shoulders."

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