A casual invitation issued nearly a year ago led to victory for Carl Rota and Adrian Milligan in one of Sussex golf's most prestigious events.

Rota, one of the also-rans of county golf, and Milligan thrashed favourites Giles Velvick and Callum Callan 6&5 to win the Hilary Crowe Pairs Matchplay on a Piltdown course in superb condition.

Rota was playing in the SPGU annual Christmas Fare last year when he suggested that they might team up.

They went their separate ways but hit it off once the early rounds got underway a few weeks ago.

The untried combo eliminated former winners Charlie Giddins and David Mills 4&3 on Mills' own patch at East Blatchington.

Rota and Milligan found themselves four down after nine to Mark Root and Neil Georges at East Sussex National but turned the tables to win on the second extra hole.

At Piltdown they beat James Morrall and Alastair Malins 3&1 in the semi-final, and after refuelling on sausages and beans, they teed off in the final.

Velvick and Callan had been locked in a tense semi-final struggle with Alec Paterson and Luke Ringrose.

Velvick chipped in at 15 to go one up but Ringrose thought he had levelled when his 25-footer went down. But Callan halved the hole from 15ft and a cast iron four at 17 secured a 2&1 success.

In terms of experience, Velvick and Callan were favourites even though Milligan, who is attached to Piltdown, was playing in familiar surroundings.

Rota and Milligan's short games were up to scratch and between them they fired seven birdies in a conclusive victory, the biggest in the event's 19-year history.

A three-yard Rota birdie putt at the first set the tone and they were soon two up after four.

Callan's 25-yarder at the third, which turned out to be the only hole they won, suggested a close contest.

But Rota and Milligan peppered the pin with radar accuracy and scarcely allowed the opposition a look in. At the turn they were five up and Rota had gone out in a four under par 31.

Rota, 44, admitted: "This is the first cup I've won since the Riseborough in 1983."

A former Littlehampton junior, Rota was a pro in Denmark and returned to be an assistant at Bognor before moving to Chichester. He has been the Avisford Park pro for the last four years and one of the most popular members of the SPGU.

They pocketed £500 each while Velvick and Callan took £350 apiece from this popular event that will again be backed next year by Crowe.