Hants exertions cause champ Bisson to pull out

DANNY BISSON has withdrawn from this week's 72-hole Credit Suisse and UV Trophies tournament after returning from the Hampshire Championships in Hayling Island golfed out and with blistered feet. The defending Credit Suisse (off scratch) champion had joined fellow L'Ancresse member Steve Mahy and several of Jersey's finest in attempting to make it through the 36-hole qualifier and to the last 16.

Bisson did just that with rounds of 72 and 73 for a one over par total, but then went out 4 and 3 to Mark Ball.

After shooting an opening 71 Mahy lay in joint-second place at the midway point of qualifying, but on a long, hot and sticky day in which the rounds were five hours plus, he crumbled with an 84 in the afternoon.

The title was won by Stewart Archibald.

With Bisson out of the way, two island stalwarts and great friends Nigel Vaudin and Mick Marley lead the way after yesterday's first round of the Credit Suisse Trophy.

Both shot level-par rounds of 70 to establish a one-stroke lead ahead of Bobby Eggo and John Le Lievre.

It was a welcome sight to see Guernsey matchplay champion Vaudin at the top of the leaderboard following his CI final defeat on Sunday.

The chasing pack is, unsurprisingly, made up of island players past and present.

Andy Eggo and Jamie Blondel both shot 73s with Dave Rowlinson and Nigel Le Noury a further stroke back.

Four-handicap Le Lievre's nett 67 leads the way in the UV Trophy, also by a single stroke with four players having carded 68s.

Defending champion Graham Sebire got off to a solid start and lies four shots off the lead.

Playing off 12, he carded a gross opening round of 83.