Darriek Douglas overcame his old friend Dwayne Gibson in a thrilling final in the Fritz Reiter BPGA Matchplay Championships at Belmont Hills Golf Club.

The pair, both course professionals, were neck-and-neck at the penultimate stage in yesterday's 36-hole final before Douglas won the day by two holes.

"You can certainly say it was a thrilling final," said Douglas who won the competition for the first time. "There wasn't much in it all the way around.

"We played great golf and although home advantage helped us get to the final, it cancelled itself out as we know the course and each other's game so well.

"We're the best of friends and it was a thoroughly enjoyable final. I'm delighted as it's the first time I've won it."

They were level heading into the 35th hole where Douglas was able to seize the initiative. Both golfers are scheduled to take part in the Goslings Invitational in November.

In the third place play-off Twilton Smith beat Bobby McDonald by four shots with three holes to play. McRonald had beaten former European PGA Tour golfer Kim Swan on Wednesday. But his joy was short-lived with Douglas showing his home turf advantage by winning the semi-final. Douglas had earlier beaten Cleve Tucker.

Gibson beat Paul Adams, from Tuckers Point Club, and fellow Belmont Hills professional Twilton Smith en route to the final.