Radford, Roberts lead with net 64s

BOBBY EGGO shot a two-under 68 gross to lead the scratch standings after day one of the unofficial 72-hole strokeplay island championship. But he's done that many times before.

The real story on a blustery Tuesday at L'Ancresse was the fact that playing partners Peter Radford and Dave Roberts both shot net 64s to hold a one shot lead after the first round.

Radford's round was probably the more remarkable, in that had his normal 25 handicap applied, instead of the maximum 21 for this competition, he would have shot 60.

His round featured six gross pars and one birdie, a two at the third.

The only evidence of him being such a high handicap, was a double bogey seven at the long 14th.

A steady four, four, four finish saw him sign for a share of the lead with 19 handicap Roberts.

Like his partner Roberts opened with a six, but by the turn he had parred three holes among his 43 strokes.

On the back nine he parred four further holes before the coup de grace, a two at the last.

All told, 20 players broke 70, but the two defending champions were not among them.

Tim Loveridge, who won last year's handicap section, shot an 81.

Andy Eggo, the scratch winner in 2002, returned a one-over 71 and lies three shots behind his older brother, determined to get his hands back on the Credit Suisse Trophy.

Eggo opened with a birdie three and reached the turn in 34 strokes.

Having dropped a shot at the 15th, he finished the round with another two.

Just two shots back are David Rowlinson and Gary McFarlane.

Out in 36 Rowlinson returned in 34, courtesy of eight pars and a birdie at the par five and downwind 14th.

McFarlane covered the outward half in 37, but he retrieved his dropped shots with birdies at the 15th and the last.