The Dyke, always a team to watch, were given a tough battle at Goodwood Park.

After leading the foursomes 2,-1,, they won the first three singles and then lost the next three. Much depended on Rod Saunders who has had a break from golf for about a year.

But there was no rust on Saunders' game. All square on the 18th tee with Gordon Simpson, Saunders' par was good enough to win his match and ensure a place in the second round at Eastbourne Downs.

West Hove's strength in the foursomes was evident against Chartham Park as they led 3-1 and made good use of the cushion to run out 8,-3, winners. The foursomes teed-off in thick fog which slowly cleared to heavy rain but there was no dampening the spirits of two 17-year-olds, Anthony Francis and former East Brighton junior Russell Cronin, who got the team off to a good start winning two up.

The team captain, Steve Neilsen and Tim Marshallsay, won 5 and 5 against Clive Offer and Richard Nixon with the other two matches halved.

In the singles, Neilsen maintained his hot form by getting on the end of another 6 and 5 win, offer again being the victim. When the pair shook hands, Neilsen was four under-par. Then the East Grinstead club staged a mini-recovery with wins from Kenny Hester and Nixon plus a half from Terry Weeks, but West Hove were never in serious trouble.

The greens staff at Cottesmore worked miracles to get the course fit for the visit of Royal Ashdown Forest. a 3-1 foursomes lead paved the way for Ashdown to go through 8,-3, and visiting team captain Jack Furtado was unstinting in his remarks.

He said: "Given the weather over the last few months it was a miracle that the Cottesmore staff got the course and greens as playable as they did. I must congratulate both teams who played in such a sporting and friendly manner."