Any team capable of turning four times outright champions Copthorne over on their own turf deserves respect.

So all hats should be doffed to West Sussex on the strength of a 7-5 first round victory in the Davies and Tate Trophy.

When Roy Froud led the Pulborough team to the bar it was in the realisation that lightning can strike in the same place twice.

Copthorne had not been beaten at home since West Sussex lowered their D and T colours in the most dramatic way possible six years ago. Then the teams tied and also finished level on countback. That meant a dramatic head-to-head and Martin Galway, then playing for West Sussex, beat Doug Arnold at the third extra hole and sent his team through.

West Sussex have posted due warning that they will be a considerable force again this year after reaching the semi-finals 12 months ago. Their secret of success is strength in foursomes and when Copthorne found themselves 3-1 down after the morning the writing was on the wall.

All the matches went to the 18th, the bravest performances coming from Iain Ritchie and Ralph Kennedy, three down with four to play, fighting back to gain a half. When Miles Averns and Julian McCree were dormie three up on Rob Granger and Mark Logan it was time for the Copthorne pair to show their mettle. It required an 8ft swinging putt on the last by McCree to earn a half.

Gary Scarfield and Martin Slumbers had two holes to spare at the end over Robin Couchman and Robert Grimwood while West Sussex increased their halfway lead when Jamie Donaldson and Dave Alderson finished level with the home pair, Doug Arnold and Alex Dalley.

Shot of the singles came from McCree when he chipped in at the first for a birdie against Arnold whom he went on to beat by 2 and 1. Copthorne hung on grimly but with the singles ending 4-4 they had paid the price for a poor start.

Froud said: "We build our team on the strength we have developed in foursomes play. We aren't a team of young striplings and most of us are all under-golfed at this time of year."

Arnold congratulated West Sussex. He said: "They were the better team on the day. They could go a long way this year."

Worthing, the Davies and Tate Trophy holders, were leading Ham Manor 3-1 in the foursomes at Worthing when thick mist stopped play for the day after a delayed start and persisted to such an extent that a break of 24 hours made it impossible to finish the match.

Now, according to rule, Worthing and Ham Manor must start afresh and the match is held over until March 24 which is a second round date.

In the four matches that were prevented from being played because of inclement weather and ground conditions, those between East Sussex National and Ifield, Sedlescombe v Willingdon, Hollingbury Park v Cowdray Park and Brighton and Hove v East Brighton will go ahead, weather permitting, this weekend.

Seaford East Blatchington included five players new to Davies and Tate competition as they overwhelmed Paxhill Park by 8,-3,. Malcolm Hoad, the Seaford No.1 was struck by the flu bug but insisted on caddying. Considering seven of last year's team were unavailable, Seaford were entitled to feel chirpy.

Seaford skipper Andy Wells said: "The carrot is that we play Seaford Head in the next round."

Peacehaven won the last three singles to secure a 7-5 win at Slinfold Park which made the long trip to Billingshurst worthwhile. James Jordan, in his D and T debut, weighed in for Peacehaven with a 5 and 3 win over Simon Legge, while David Gentry, also new to the knockout, had a two-hole advantage at the finish to spare over Jerome Kirk.

Former Sussex champion Clive King was too good for Stuart McGowan by 2 and 1.

If Peacehaven, after trailing 5-4, can stage a revival of such proportions they should go to Dale Hill in good heart for the next round.

With a 3,-, foursomes advantage in favour of Sweetwoods Park, the singles against West Chiltington seemed a foregone conclusion. But with a superb fight back from Chiltington, it gradually became a nail-biting finish.

Only one match was left on the course as Mike Baldock, for the visitors, and Charlie Mailsbury, the Chiltington captain, battled it out. They stood all square on the 18th tee and facing a long par-five of 530 yards.

On in regulation, Baldock faced a long putt and Mailsbury was in the greenside bunker for three. When Baldock rolled his putt to about three feet, Mailsbury left himself 10ft from the pin. His putt just shaved the hole leaving Baldock with his for the game and match.

Of all the D and T teams, Piltdown must have some of the most splendidly named players with the palm going to Pontus Carminger. Among his team mates in the 7-5 win at Selsey were Piers Heagerty, Jeremy Andrew, Simon Bulteel and Mark Hatcher.

Royal Eastbourne's big guns were nicely calibrated in the 9,-2, bombardment unleashed against visiting Hastings. New arrival James Harper impressed with a 6 and 5 win over James Tollett while Matt Hepburn celebrated his 18th birthday defeating Dean Jones 7 and 5. Brother Jack was also on song as a 5 and 3 winner over John Cramp. Only Hastings winner on the day was Iain Ross who beat Glynn Bateman 3 and 2.

Davies and Tate Trophy, 1st round results: West Hove beat Chartham Park 8,-3,, Rustington lost to Hill Barn 7-5, Singing Hills beat Littlehampton 7-5, Goodwood Park lost to The Dyke 6,-5,, Cottesmore lost to Royal Ashdon Forest 8,-3,, Hassocks lost to Cooden Beach 7-5, Copthorne lost to West Sussex 7-5, West Chiltington lost to Sweetwoods Park 6,-5,, The Nevill beat Haywards Heath 8-4, Bognor Regis lost to Crowborough Beacon 7,-4,2, Royal Eastbourne beat Hastings 9,-2,, Selsey lost to Piltdown 7-5, Holtye beat Eastbourne Prk 11,-,, Slinfold Park lost to Peacehaven 7-5, Dale Hill beat Chichester 6,-5,, Seaford beat Paxhill Park 8,-3,.

Byes: Goodwood, Mannings Heath, Lewes, Tilgate Forest, Highwoods, Wellshurst, Eastbourne Downs, Waterhall, Mid Sussex, Pyecombe, Seaford Head.

Postponed 1st round matches to be played March 17-18: Sedlescombe v Willingdon; Hollingbury Park v Cowdray Park; Brighton and Hove v East Brighton; East Sussex National v Ifield. To be played March 24: Worthing v Ham Manor.