THE last tournament in the Dartmoor League calendar closed on a real high last weekend.

Keeping with tradition, the Dartmoor league Challenge Shield is held on the course of the winning club from the previous year - once again at Downes Crediton Golf Club.

Not only are the teams from the 12 Dartmoor league clubs competing for the Shield and individual best, but the course then welcomes all players who have competed for the Dartmoor League during the season to play in a social roll up organised by the Pro.

The home team did have an advantage with the best score of 38 points from Adam Hull which helped Crediton secure the team victory.

After the golf came the recognition and rewards for the season. Winners of League Two were Honiton who were promoted to League One but the glory of the evening was for Okehampton - winners of the Dartmoor League in an exciting finish which really went to the wire, winning by just one point from Downes Crediton.

This is a very special day for the Dartmoor League - more than a trophy event. It’s the day when all players from all member clubs acknowledge just how special their Dartmoor League is - now 18 years on from its formation at a meeting between Mike Stevens and Peter Pearman in the Teign Valley clubhouse.

At that time just half a dozen clubs joined forces to create the Dartmoor league with its clear and uncomplicated vision of the ideal League.

Over the next few years more and more clubs were eager to join until the member clubs doubled and it was timely to create two leagues of six clubs with promotion and relegation at the end of each season.

There seems to be lots of reasons which draw clubs to the Dartmoor League - the simple rules by which it operates and the extraordinary spirit and camaraderie within a fiercely competitive atmosphere creates tremendous pride and passion.

Some years ago an annual mixed league day was a popular addition to the fixture list and more recently an opportunity for the ladies of those clubs to form The Dartmoor Ladies and do their thing.

The League has just welcomed two new clubs bringing the total to 14, making it possibly the most popular and successful League in Devon.

There is room to grow a little more says Mike Stevens, Chairman, provided new clubs are within sight of Dartmoor.