Former Muratti star leads L'Ancresse qualifiers

KEVIN LE TISSIER led the L'Ancresse Golf Club qualifiers as two weeks of Henderson Cup qualifying came to a climax in glorious conditions on the links. While first-round leader Andy Langlois fell away with a 75, Le Tissier added a 67 to his opening 68 off a 14 handicap to top the list.

The former Muratti footballer was delighted with his performance.

'In two weeks I've done no worse than a double bogey.'

Luke Blondel, his cousin and playing partner, said: 'He scrambled really well and didn't once lose his head.'

Le Tissier's round was hardly predictable and a highlight was a par five at the sixth hole, despite having to take a drop.

His fourth shot kicked off the greenside bunker to roll to eight feet and Le Tissier slid in the putt.

At the ninth, he put his drive very nearly on the main road to the right of the fairway.

But he recovered with a nine iron close to the crossing and hit an eight to four feet before sinking the putt for a notable par into the breeze.

There were several other escapes and, crucially, he did not miss a putt from under 10ft all morning.

Blondel's chance of a cracking round himself disappeared with two sixes to finish.

The day's best gross score came from Steve Mahy who followed up his solid opening round score with a one-under par gross 69 to qualify for the matchplay stages.

Andy Eggo, the defending champion, produced a 73 gross to improve markedly on his first-round effort, and that score was matched by Gary McFarlane.

Mike Hamon shot a net 68, 71 gross, with the aid of a two at the last.

In yesterday's second round of Royal Guernsey qualifying Paul Lawrence emerged top.