Captain salutes Rowlands Castle's crucial togetherness

The captain also pointed to the experience of playing previous finals as a key factor in the club's historic sixth crown.

Rowlands Castle, who were already the most successful club in the competition's history with five wins, beat Royal Jersey after a marathon day of golf at Barton-on-Sea.

Hawley said: '˜I think this team was successful due to the friendship we share '“ and all of us simply never give in.

'˜The majority of the team made it to the Annodata Matchplay Golf Grand Final in Jerez, Spain, in November.

'˜We socialise together and next week most of us are going on holiday together, which will no doubt be another chance to celebrate.

'˜Winning the Sevens again '“ and for a record sixth time '“ was a great finish to a great year.'

Phil Hodgson sank the winning putt with Mark Ostram, Phil Russell, Simon Ostram, Jamie Turnball, Paul Whiteaway and Glynn Catterall completing the Rowlands Castle line-up.

That squad already boasted nine final appearances, with only Hawley being on a losing team back in the early 1990s when he played at Crookhorn.

He added: '˜I had used 10 players on the way to the final and should mention the contribution of Dan Cornish and Mike Potts, who didn't travel on finals day.

'˜And our reserve Paul Russell, who sat out despite having won in previous rounds, supported the boys tremendously.'