THE army proved one battle too far for Ryde’s golfers after they were beaten in the final of the Hampshire County Sevens on Sunday.

Ryde had hoped to become the first Island club since 2003 — and only the second ever — to win the sevens competition.

However, after beating Royal Guernsey in the morning’s semi final, they lost 5 ½ 1 ½ in the final.

Club captain Tony Cappello said “I am so proud of the way the team played.

“It ‘s hard enough to make the last four, so to make the finals three times in six years was a huge achievement.”