England international Gabriella Cowley shot three-under par in a continuous downpour at Sunningdale to win the Critchley Salver by a shot.

Conditions were such that the event was reduced from 36 holes to 18 on the New course. “It was horrendous, it rained from start to finish and it was freezing as well,” said Gabriella, who nevertheless scored 71.

The Brocket Hall player made a speedy start and was three-under after four holes. She had two more birdies and a pair of bogeys in the remainder of the round and won by a shot from Gloucestershire champion Jo Hodge.

“It’s a lovely one to win and Sunningdale is my favourite course. To even go there is a pleasure,” said Gabriella.

She missed only two greens during the round and took advantage of her accuracy with good putting. Gabriella was disappointed with her putting on the last day of the recent English championship, where she was third, and has been working on it since, both at home and at England Performance squad training.

“I’ve worked hard on it and it showed because I putted really well at Sunningdale and holed quite a few,” she said.

Next stop for the 17-year-old is the German girls’ open, which is played next week and is a qualifying event for the Junior Solheim Cup.

Leading final positions
Par 74
71 Gabriella Cowley (Brocket Hall)
72 Jo Hodge (The Kendleshire)
74 Emma Tayler (Saunton), Charlotte Thompson (Channels)
75 Claire Smith (Silsden), Emily Slater (Woodhall Spa), Lucy Goddard (Mid Herts), Louisa Tarn (Sunningdale)
76 Elizabeth Swallow (Newbury and Crookham), Chelsea Masters (Highwoods, Bexhill) Charlie Field (Bishop’s Stortford)
77 Amber Ratcliffe (Royal Cromer), Kerry Smith (Waterlooville).