Harry Brister staved off Darren Ward’s determined fightback to claim a stirring success in the Norfolk Match Play Championship, sponsored by Norwich Family Golf Centre.

Brister appeared to have all angles covered as he surged six holes ahead with seven to play in the scratch final, staged at Bawburgh Golf Club.

The 29-year-old’s victory looked imminent at the 12th where he speared an iron onto the putting surface and Ward missed the green with his tee-shot into the same par-3.

But Great Yarmouth and Caister ace Ward – who in previous rounds took the scalps of Norfolk first-teamers Brandon Hobley and Matt Strudwick – had other ideas.

He showed deft touch to pull off a fine up-and-down to keep the match alive before following up with a birdie brace at the next two holes and reduce his arrears to 4-down.

Suddenly, Ward had found top gear and his opponent was making the odd uncharacteristic error – notably a poor chip from the right edge of the 14th green.  

Indeed, when Brister missed the fairway with his tee-shot on the 15th hole it seemed as if Ward was about to take the clash even deeper.

But it was then that Brister demonstrated his own mettle, unleashing a brilliant 5-iron from the edge of the trees that finally came to rest 25 foot behind the pin.

Ward responded with a decent approach but his brave birdie attempt shaved the cup and Brister duly rolled in a three-foot par putt to seal victory by a 4 and 3 margin.

“I said to myself, ‘just hit the green’,” offered Brister on the stellar iron that set up his win on the 15th green. “I didn’t want another chip shot, simple as that. And when I got the strike and saw the line, I thought ‘happy days, that’s going to be fine’.

“That’s one of the things I’ve been working on a lot – not getting too caught up on previous holes, previous shots. Once it’s done, it’s done – make sure the next one’s better than the last one. And sticking to the basics. If I do them right, I won’t go too far wrong.

“I’m playing probably better than I ever have. The most important thing for me, I’m enjoying it and I feel relaxed. The way I’m able to deal with adversity on the golf course is better now than it ever has  been.”

Mundesley golfer Richard Abbs claimed the handicap title, beating Bawburgh’s Danny Millins 5 and 3. 

Abbs, whose handicap index is 15, came through a titanic semi-final tussle with talented Eaton junior Luis King. A see-saw match ended with Abbs victorious at the first play-off hole.