When I find myself reporting on the first round of the Streatham Trophy then I can be sure that winter is not far away, writes George Carr.

Nominated as a winter-long competition, The Streatham, as it is known, is played over four legs during the winter in teams of two in a better-ball stableford format.

The best three scores of four qualifiers are then taken forward into a grand final usually at the end of March with the top twenty scores participating.

Always attracting a large field with Saturday’s opening round no exception, the pair to watch and surely the favourites, would seem to have been Martin White and Bob Webber.

These two stalwarts of the club are not only the current holders of the trophy, but are seeking to make it ‘three in a row’ having been victorious in 2012 and 2013.

However, they posted a modest 39 points on Saturday to start their campaign and lie some six points behind Saturday’s winners but with a long winter to come are surely keeping their powder dry.

Craig Melluish and Simon Knowles were winners on the day with an excellent 45 points worth £22.00 and first place in the rankings.

Two points adrift on 43 came a whole gaggle of golfing partnerships in the form of George Barber and David Bater - Neil Faulkner and Paddy Tallon - Nick Bater and Paul Hitchcock, whilst Hastie and Bosence, along with Wilmington and Barnard were a point behind on 42. All of which makes for a very crowded and interesting leader board going into the second leg on November 23 - watch this space!