Beacon dig deep for win

CROWBOROUGH, Seaford, Lewes and East Sussex National won through the second round of the Davies & Tate inter-club knockout on Saturday but Seaford Head are out.Crowborough won 7-5 at Chichester after being level at 2-2 after the foursomes. Seasoned campaigners Martin Thornhill and Dave Mackellow won 3&2, while Phil Brewer and youngster Tom Dagwell triumphed 4&3.

In the afternoon singles 'banker' players Thornhill, Graham Smith and Ian Adams suffered defeat, but Dagwell and Richard Leeves took their matches 2&1 and 4&2 respectively, while Paul Cavie and Brewer marked their returns to the team with wins, as did Mackellow.

Seaford had an even tighter squeeze as they won on countback 19-15 after their home tie with Bognor ended 6-6. Gary and Butch Walker came to the rescue with the hosts 6-4 down, winning by 3&2 and one hole respectively.

East Sussex National were 8.5-3.5 winners at home to Ham Manor while Lewes had a convincing 7.5-4.5 win at The Nevill.

In the singles Lewes team captain Lawrie Tremlett suffered a rare defeat when he lost 3&2 to Todd Adcock and admitted: 'I putted really badly while Todd played extremely well.'

Lewes's Mark Hilton won the battle of ex-professionals when he beat Matt Kuwertz 4&3 after firing five birdies in six holes.

Crowborough, Seaford and Lewes have comfortable-looking draws in third round, but the National will need to be at their best in a visit to West Hove.

Third-round draw (to be played Saturday, April 22): Littlehampton v Haywards Heath, Cottesmore v Copthorne, Lewes v Singing Hills, Crowborough Beacon v Holtye, West Hove v East Sussex National, Sweetwoods Park v Seaford, East Brighton v Worthing, Cowdray Park v Mannings Heath.

Plate preliminary round (April 22): Brighton & Hove v Pyecombe, Rustington v Chichester, Bognor Regis v The Goodwood Club, Goodwood Park v Sedlescombe.

First round (May 13): West Chiltington v Eastbourne Park, Wellshurst v Chartham Park, Bognor or The Goodwood Club v Piltdown, Tilgate Forest v Seaford Head, Royal Eastbourne v Cooden Beach, West Sussex v Mid Sussex, Willingdon v Dale Hill, Highwoods v Hassocks, Waterhall v Boars Head, The Dyke v Goodwood Park or Sedlescombe, Eastbourne Downs v Rustington or Chichester, Ham Manor v Foxbridge, The Nevill v Ifield, Hollingbury Park v Avisford Park, Hill Barn v Selsey, Brighton & Hove or Pyecombe v Slinfold Park.