Nicolles wilt

PERHAPS they were distracted by the impending World Cup football match, but the Star Trophy champions struggled on the hot L'Ancresse links yesterday.

On day one of the traditional two-day midweek foursomes event, the 2009 winners, Wilma and Mike Nicolle suffered in the heat, slipping to a 78 and 13 shots off the overnight leaders Steve Turvey and Dave Mapley.

The combined nine handicaps were out in 38 with a bogey six at the same hole blotting their card, but they came back in 36 with the aid of six pars, a birdie and two bogeys.

They lead by just half a shot from the Goupillots and two from Gerry Finn and Ken Tucknott.

But on a very tight leaderboard, just four shots cover the top 11 pairings.