Captain marvel

VETERAN Peter Franklin proved Lewes Golf Club's Captain Marvel in the 9-3 demolition of Worthing in the quarter-finals of the Davies And Tate scratch inter-club knockout competition at Chapel Hill on Saturday.

Franklin, 50, the team captain, last played in the competition in 1999 but was forced to select himself at the 11th hour as talented teenager Jack Budgen was unavailable after qualifying for the final two rounds of the Brabazon Trophy at Royal Cinque Ports, Deal.

Lewes club champion in 2000, Franklin, who currently plays off a handicap of four, and Matt Hart could not repel the powerful pairing of 2000 Sussex champion Joe Doherty and Rob Bright in the morning foursomes, losing 3&1.

But there was no stopping Franklin in the afternoon as he steam-rollered Kevin Bashford 6&4.

Afterwards he belied his calm exterior by admitting: 'That was real pressure. I'm just glad I didn't let anybody down.

'Now we have a real chance of going all the way. But there will be no complacency in the semi-finals.'

Those semi-finals will be played on August 17 at neutral venues yet to be announced. Lewes face Bognor Regis, 101/2-11/2 winners over Cooden Beach, while the other semi-final will be West Hove v Royal Eastbourne.

The Lewes v Worthing tie was played in a sporting spirit, with the visitors outgunned all day as they failed to handle the gusting wind on the tricky, undulating course.

Lewes took a 3-1 lead into lunch after the morning foursomes, the Tony Hilton-Steve Verth and Lawrie Tremlett-Henry Hilton pairings winning their matches by runaway 5&3 margins.

It was little consolation for Worthing's Arwel Roberts that he achieved his first ever hole in one at the fourth against Tremlett and Hilton.

The afternoon singles pairings threw up the heavyweight contest of Tremlett against Doherty.

Tremlett, fresh from winning the Chanctonbury Ring at West Sussex a fortnight ago, was fired up for the game and almost drove the first green. And from the edge of a bunker he chipped onto the top level and into the hole for an eagle two.

Tremlett won the first four holes, but the vastly-experienced Doherty gradually whittled away his lead to draw level going into the final hole.

Tremlett's drive down the last was wide left on the first fairway, but he hit a brilliant iron into the top level of the two-tiered green. Doherty found the apron in two but failed to get his first putt onto the top level and conceded the match after taking five.

There was an equally impressive win for England Schoolboy captain Henry Hilton, who whipped Worthing's highly-rated Rob Bright 5 and 4, while Tony Hilton, Hart and Andy Gale all triumphed by convincing 3&2 margins.

Lewes have now taken two huge scalps in Worthing and East Brighton (8-4), while a strong Willingdon team were outclassed 10-2.

Lewes v Worthing results:- Morning foursomes (Lewes names first): T Hilton and S Verth bt A Laverty and S Godley 5 and 3; A Gale and D Cosham bt K Bashford and P Drew 2 and 1; L Tremlett and H Hilton bt A Roberts and S Williams 5 and 3; M Hart and P Franklin lost to J Doherty and R Bright 3 and 1.

Afternoon singles: Cosham lost to Godley 2 and 1; T Hilton bt Roberts 3 and 2; H Hilton by Bright 5 and 4; Tremlett bt Doherty 1 up; Franklin bt Bashford 6 and 4; Hart bt Drew 3 and 2; Verth lost to Williams 2 and 1; Gale bt Laverty 3 and 2.

All three local teams engaged in the Plate were beaten. Mid-Sussex lost 9-3 at Eastbourne Downs, Peacehaven went down 91/2-21/2 at Mannings Heath, and Wellshurst were defeated 7-5 at Dale Hill.