AN hour?s rain delay prolonged what turned out to be the most exciting Palairet Plate Finals day for several years, hosted by Libbaton Golf Club last Sunday. Okehampton drew with Great Torrington in their semi-final with the other semi contested by Saunton and Fingle Glen. Fingle romped into the finals with a convincing 4 and a half to .5 victory. Okehampton took an early 2-0 lead with comfortable wins for Holt/Haslam and Carey/Owen, but it was looking gloomy with Penfold/Harkness and Hooper/Cann losing and Rattenbury/Pedrick one down playing the 18th. With their opponents in for a par four the 20ft putt for Paul had to go in for a birdie to extend the match. It did and Kevin?s reaction was heard across the valley. On to extra holes and at the 19th Kevin had the chance to take the match with a ten foot putt and duly obliged ? Okehampton into the final against Fingle Glen. The final was played in winds and showers but the quality of the golf was stunning. The Holt/Haslem combination started with a birdie but walked to the second tee one down, the results of a miraculous eagle 2. The quality continued with Holt/Haslem standing on the 9th tee 4 under par gross and stilt level in the match. Keith Harkness and Neil Penfold could not hang on to some strong golf on a tiring day and lost 4 and a half to 3 The remaining four matches arrived at the 18th tee all square. From eight tee shots only two found safety. The remaining six found the trees on the right with a further two provisional balls also finding the trees. This resulted in Holt/Haslem winning 1 up; Rattenbury and Pedrick winning 1 up and Hooper/Cann losing 1 down. The match was now 2-2 and with both Carey/Owen and their opponents finding trees the best either could achieve were bogey fives. On to extra holes, Okehampton had the first chance for glory but could not convert. A miracle shot was on the cards for a glorious win until out of bounds loomed its ugly head with a quality hook from the second best player in the club. The final score was victory to Fingle Glen 3-2. A joy to watch and be involved in such a tense day?s play. Congratulations go to the ten brave souls, and to the determined supporter, Mr President. Congratulations also to Fingle Glen for golf in the manner that it was always intended, a great day was had by all. ? On Saturday two teachers, Steve Blackmur and Phil Orton, at the start of their holidays, turned in the best score of the day to win the Barnes Cup and division one with 47 points. Second were Ken Peckham and Roger Slee with 45 points and runners-up were Steve Gregory and Steve Fewings with 44 points.