BURY St Edmunds survived their West Suffolk derby match with The Suffolk in the first round of the Hambro Cup on Sunday by a single hole. They were saved by the solid form of Tom Stephenson and Andy Collett who were nine up on the day and clinched victory with a birdie on the par five final hole to prevent a play-off.

By Tony Garnett

BURY St Edmunds survived their West Suffolk derby match with The Suffolk in the first round of the Hambro Cup on Sunday by a single hole.

They were saved by the solid form of Tom Stephenson and Andy Collett who were nine up on the day and clinched victory with a birdie on the par five final hole to prevent a play-off. In the morning Richard Tungate and Mike Greener found Stephenson and Collett too hot to hold and went down by seven holes.

In the afternoon Steve Lankester and Craig Durant had the task of trying to subdue Bury's in-form pair but they too suffered defeat by two holes. Stars for The Suffolk were Gary Last and Marcus Lee who turned the tables on Matt Fordham and Dan Wilson after trailing in the morning.

Hintlesham's fourth pair of Phil Westley and Adie Meredith played a key role in the nine-hole defeat of Flempton. They were four up against David Coulthart and David Ellis in the morning and ended two up against Matt Alderton and Stuart Jarvis in the afternoon. Now Hintlesham have another home tie against Felixstowe Ferry on May 27.

Woodbridge have found Stowmarket to be a thorn in their side in recent years but this time they took advantage of a home draw to win by seven holes.

Jon Marks and Darren Elliott beat Martin Darling and Chris Underwood in the morning by four holes. Then Marks rested himself in the afternoon and Elliott's partnership with Sam Taylor produced a five-hole success.

Chris Bye and Chris Springle were five up against Paul Buckle and Ben Forgan in the morning but the Stowmarket pair hit back with a six-hole success in the afternoon but it was not enough for an overall victory.

Sam Forgan and Patrick Spraggs did well to beat James Keely and Ian Kitson by three holes in the morning round and hold the formidable Woodbridge pair to a half in the afternoon. Woodbridge must now visit Bungay who claimed several notable scalps last year.

Brett Vale had no trouble in disposing of the challenge of last year's beaten finalists Thorpeness. Few would have expected a 23-hole win but Mark Jackson and Chris Hammond laid the foundation when they beat Richard Newton and Gavin Stroud by nine in the first round. Thorpeness changed their order after lunch but Jackson and Hammond proved too good for Richard Baker and Mark Henderson in the afternoon. Brett Vale must now visit Seckford with every prospect of making further progress..

Fynn Valley were never under pressure against Gorleston. They ended 24 holes to the good with Chris Smith and Warren Goddard 13 up on the day against Danny Western and Patrick Goffin.

Now Fynn Valley are at home to Stoke by Nayland in a second round battle of the giants.

Rushmere trailed by three holes at lunch at home to Waldringfield. An upset looked on the cards until Kevin Eagle and club captain Peter Robinson took a grip on proceedings with an 11-hole haul on the day. Rushmere now have a trip to Haverhill who produced a convincing display to beat Rookery Park.

The difference between the sides was the pairing of former professional David Quinney with junior Harry Mills. They were 12 up on the day against Paul Donovan and Matt Lay. As Haverhill only won by 13 it was a significant contribution.

Aldeburgh did their best work in the morning against Halesworth but still managed to win by 13 holes after a closely contested second round.

The Tolly Cobbold Cup first round saw St Audry's overcome Southwold by a single hole. St Audry's led by eight holes at lunch but Southwold fought back with tremendous spirit. Now it will be Seckford's turn to test their approach play and putting on a nine-hole course with small and tricky greens.

Rushmere had a disastrous morning against Gorleston when they trailed by 11 holes at lunch. Buster Larkins and young Connor James did their utmost to save the day by coming in eight ahead in the afternoon, but it was not quite enough.

Felixstowe Ferry were in full sail against Stowmarket. John Harrall and Glen Smart were 10 up on the day against David Burl and Gus Cutting. Now Felixstowe will be at home to Fynn Valley who won by three holes at The Suffolk.

A full round-up of scores is printed in Tuesday's EADT

Hambro Cup

Second Round: Haverhill v Rushmere, Aldeburgh v Bury St Edmunds, Bungay v Woodbridge, Hintlesham v Felixstowe Ferry, Ipswich v Newton Green, Fynn Valley v Stoke by Nayland, Seckford v Brett Vale, Southwold v Diss.

Tolly Cobbold Cup

Second Round: Felixstowe Ferry v Fynn Valley, Gorleston v Waldringfield, Hintlesham v Thorpeness, Brett Vale v Stoke by Nayland, Newton Green v Haverhill. St Audrys v Seckford, Bury St Edmunds v Rookery Park, Flempton v Halesworth.