Eggos close in on the final

THE Eggo brothers stay on course for a 36 holes Sunday family final in the Deutsche Bank Guernsey Championships. But to achieve it Bobby, the top seed and multi-champion, will have to overcome the in-form David Rowlinson in this evening's semis, while Andy faces the defending champion, Mick Marley.

The only mild surprise of the quarter-final round was the apparent ease in which Rowlinson overcame the threat of Steve Mahy.

As was the case the previous evening Rowlinson got off to a good start but missing a short birdie effort at the third prevented him from taking a three up after three lead. But a tough up and down from the left side for birdie at the sixth helped him restore his earlier two-up advantage which was carried to the turn.

By the 11th Mahy had halved the deficit but in missing a short putt at the next he was looking a little out of sorts and when Rowlinson made his third birdie on the day at the 15th green, the cap came off and Mahy shook hands on the match.

Bobby Eggo defeated David Nicolle 3 and 2, so the 'quiet man' remains arguably the finest modern day player not to win the championship.

Nicolle was unable to reproduce his previous day's form, instead he had to stand by and watch the former Walker Cup GB star hole some remarkable putts of his own.

The highlight was at the 12th where on probably the quickest green back to front ot the L'Ancresse links, Eggo rolled in a putt the thick end of 30ft to remain in control of the match at two up.

The two-up lead was maintained until the 16th when after a delicate lobbed chip Eggo's four-foot putt for birdie did a lap-of-honour before dropping in and sent Nicolle out of the championships.

In the remaining two matches 'steady and solid' was how Andy Eggo described his performance against David Warr, while Marley came from behind to beat Nigel Vaudin in a match which seemed to have everything.

Having seen his earlier two up lead wiped out by the time they reached the eighth tee, Vaudin had to regain control.

What better way than to hit a monster drive and for once show Marley how to chip in.

One simple flip of a wedge and it was an eagle two that put the former champion one up.

But by the turn Vaudin's hard work had been undone yet again and a couple of crucial missed short putts meant that by the 15th he s two down.

A birdie at the 15th for the third night on the bounce enabled Vaudin to reduce the deficit to one, but at the next and with his opponent looking favourite for the win Marley reminded everyone of the short game for which he is renowned.

From long and left of the 16th a chip and 12-ft putt gave Marley a halve when a loss was all but on the cards.

At the next and chasing the match Vaudin drove into the bushes right of 17th green and in doing so handed Marley his pass into the semis and a repeat of the final two years ago.

LIZ DARLING is just 18 holes away from a county title in the category for handicaps 17 to 20.

The Royal Guernsey player had qualified in the 16th and final place for the matchplay stages but has won through two rounds at Brockenhurst Manor.

Island champion Jan Chamber-lain failed to qualify for the last 16 of the main event.