BARRY Austin (Teign Valley) won the Devon County PGA Matchplay Championship at Exeter Golf Club, defeating Stuart Disney (Torquay) in a thrilling final.

Barry raced into a four-hole lead after 7 holes, before Stuart pegged him back by winning three successive holes. The turning point came when Barry birdied both 13 and 14 to go three up. After both players parred the 15th, Barry hit his tee shot to 15feet on the 16th, Stuart?s finished three feet away.

Barry narrowly missed his match-winning putt, but with Stuart just about to strike his putt, his ball moved. No other player or spectator saw it move, but Stuart called the referee over to explain. His only option was to take a one-stroke penalty, which handed the game to Barry.

Results - first round: Jon Langmead (Hele Park) beat Ashley Moon (Okehampton); Ian Marshall (Staddon Heights) beat Paul Cary (Fingle Glen); Stuart Disney (Torquay) beat Jody Bee (Exeter); Tim McSherry (Yelverton) beat Duncan Giblett (East Devon); Robin Goodey (RND) beat Peter Ward (Teignmouth); James Langmead (Hele Park) beat Neil Holman (Churston); David Sheppard (unattached) beat Martin Ruth (Torquay); Barry Austin (Teign Valley) beat Cliff Strange (Torquay).

Quarter-finals: Ian Marshall beat Jon Langmead; Stuart Disney beat Tim McSherry; James Langmead beat Robin Goodey; Barry Austin beat David Sheppard.

Semi-finals: Stuart Disney beat Ian Marshall; Barry Austin beat James Langmead.

3rd/4th place play-off: Ian Marshall beat James Langmead.

Final: Barry Austin beat Stuart Disney.