The trophy is contested between teams of eight golfers from the North-West, North, South Metro and South Country.

After Saturday's first round, Golf North-West was equal second with the North, with just one drawn contest each.

Better results yesterday morning saw North taking a 9.5 to 8.5 lead over Golf North-West into the final afternoon round.

The Coastal team set itself up for victory with a 6-1 result over South Country in its final contest and when South Metro beat North 5-2, the trophy was secured to remain with the defending champions.

The competition featured seven of the eight members at a time from each team in 18-hole match-play competition, with Golf North- West's winning overall score totalling 14.5 individual (match) points and 2.5 contest points (two wins and a draw).

The strong North-West side included Tasmanian champion Ryan McCarthy (Seabrook), former champion Craig Hancock (Wynyard), 16-year-old debutantes Mitchell Smith and James Hyland (both from Seabrook), Stuart Gray (Devonport), Neville Hogan (Smithton), Jason Rubock (Burnie), Heath Middap (Wynyard) and non-playing captain and manager Mick Johns (Seabrook).

While it was the North- West's third consecutive win in the Thyne Trophy, the region is not about to let the trophy go in a hurry, with the 2006 victory at Riverside being the first in the previous 21 years .

Next year's event will be played at Mowbray.