Aimee Ponte, the new island women’s champion, tees off at the first as she and playing partner Tom Le Huray aim to preserve a narrow halfway lead in the Star Trophy. They were to finish fourth. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0796369)

WILMA NICOLLE’S decision to draft in husband Mike when her original partner withdrew, paid off over the two days of the annual Star Trophy foursomes.

She joked that it was the best thing that had happened in 44 years of marriage after the couple came from third overnight to win the old trophy first played for exactly 50 years ago.

The Nicolles shot a net 66.5 to win by a shot from Andy Chamberlain and Elliott Corbin, who had been second after day one.

Playing off 18.5, the winners did not lose a ball over the two days and Wilma’s putter was hot throughout.

Such was the steadiness of their play that they could afford a 6-4 finish and still win.

Overnight leaders Aimee Ponte and Tom Le Huray posted a 73.5 to fall back to fourth overall, while the rounds of the day were net 65s by Wayne Moore and Ross Wheeler and James Hamon and Will Davidson.

Both those rounds equated to a level-par gross 70.

Out in 37, Wheeler and Moore came back in 33, despite a bogey six at the 14th.

Hamon and Davidson did it the other way around, posting a front nine 34 and taking 36 on the inward half, which included a birdie two at the last.