Golfers pull off major PAV upset

They clinched a superb 7.5-4.5 victory away to Mannings Heath in a competition which goes by the name of the PAV Trophy.

The visitors, who lost 11-1 when the clubs last met two years ago, played some excellent golf in the morning foursomes to take a commanding 3-1 lead into lunch.

Mannings got back on level terms part way through the afternoon singles, but 16-year-old Lewis Tiltman parred the last two holes to secure a precious win for Sedlescombe.

That proved the turning point as the Kent Street club took control of the tie and sealed one of their finest wins in the history of the competition.

Their reward is a second round trip to Peacehaven on Saturday May 22, while Beauport Park, who had a bye in the first round, will visit defending champions Worthing.

Cooden Beach and Highwoods, however, were both beaten in difficult away ties and will now go into the PAV Plate.

Highwoods were edged out 6.5-5.5 at The Nevill, while Cooden Beach were hammered 11-1 by a powerful East Sussex National outfit made up almost entirely of Sussex colts.

Further details will appear in tomorrow's Observers.