Swirling mist held up play for more than two hours at the De Vere Collection PGA Seniors Championship but there was a ray of sunshine for Gordon Brand Junior amid the gathering gloom.
The former Ryder Cup ace finished the day just a shot adrift of leader Angel Franco after averting disaster on the 18th when his drive hit the road and ended up behind a tree.
The Bristol-based pro took a penalty drop but with a double-bogey looming sank a 20ft putt on the dangerously sloping 18th to escape with a bogey and 73 for a share of second place alongside South Africa's Christopher Williams who was round in 70.
Brand Junior, seeking a maiden victory on the European Senior Tour, was among the afternoon starters who endured a lengthy weather delay which he admitted disrupted his rhythm.
"I struggled at the beginning made some good saves and started to play well and then the delay came and I struggled after that," said Brand.
"On the last I hit the road and ended up behind a tree so went backwards and at the end of the day I'm very pleased with a 73. It was difficult, the rough became claggy so it's changed from a playable course to wet and long so I'm quite pleased I hung in there."
Earlier in the day the South American Franco posted a level par 72 to add to his opening 69.
His second round included a birdie and an eagle in his first three holes and two further birdies but his good play was undone by five bogeys.
Franco said he was disappointed with his finish but happy overall with his position going into the weekend.
"It was a different day and different conditions," he said. "The rain and wind make it difficult but I'm still really happy about my round today.
"Tomorrow is when it starts getting serious. The position I'm in today is not important - it is the position I'm in on Saturday and Sunday that matters. I'm focussed on that."
Two-time winner Carl Mason heads a group of five at one under par alongside Bob Boyd, Kevin Spurgeon, Jimmy Heggarty and Scotland's John Chillas who both posted best of the day 69s.
Heggarty has been spending hours on the practice range and believes he is finally starting to reap some of the benefits.
"I haven't performed since Brunei early in the season but I've been working hard on my game and I feel it's coming so who knows what could happen at the weekend," he said.
"I shot 82 in the first round last week and then 69,72, and I shot level par for the three rounds at Jersey which was good for me and which I haven't done before so they are all little stepping stones.
"It's just a matter of keeping going and Bertus Smit winning last week gives us all hope."
PGA Cup player George Ryall had a frustrating day after carding a second successive 74 to sit at four over for the tournament alongside Ian Woosnam who had a 75. The pair lie seven strokes off the lead.
"It was a long, tiring day. I played a bit better but missed a few chances," said Ryall.
"It was okay, nothing exciting. I've survived which is a start but I want to get under par. That's the target."
Defending champion Gordon J Brand put his first round 81 behind him with a 70 to make the cut at eight over par by one shot. Also making the cut were PGA professionals Alistair Webster (Edzell), Phil Harrison (Wildwood), Garry Harvey (Kinross), Murray White (Penfold Park), lan Hemsley (The Norfolk), Tim Rouse (Northants County), Tim Rastall (Mottram Hall) and Peter Hanna (Fortwilliam).
One man missing from the weekend however will be crowd favourite Sam Torrance who was forced to withdraw with an injured thumb just five holes into his second round.
26 June, 2009