Format suits White

Murray White of Penfold Park and three-handicap amateur Justin Saunders won the Searles Spring Classic with a better ball round of 41 Stableford points at King's Lynn.

They were two points off the pace after the first day of Stableford foursomes at Hunstanton. The first prize was £750.

They were placed ninth in the corresponding event last year but have come to terms with the format having been joint winners of the Autumn Classic at Aldeburgh and Thorpeness in October. It was a clean sweep for Hertfordshire pairs who took the top four places.

Runners-up one shot behind were joint overnight leaders Ben Cooper of Bishop's Stortford and 11-handicap Stephen Cooper who picked up 38 points on both days.

There was a gap of three points where joint third place was shared by Matthew Cousens (Bushey Golf and Country Club) and David Williams with Bishop's Stortford head professional and six-handicap Andy Hardie.

The best Norfolk challengers shared fifth place. Ian Ellis of Costessey Park and seven-handicap Lawrence Osborne moved up the leaderboard with 39 points on the second day to draw level with Tony Varney (Bawburgh) and 10-handicap Nick Lamb. Ellis and Osborne finished fourth last year.

The best second day better ball score was 42 points from Robert Brightman of Millbrook and two-handicap Craig Oliver. This lifted them up the leader board to joint seventh place.

Holders Neil Lythgoe (Royal Norwich) and Trevor Cave had an off day with only 28 better ball points leaving them amongst the also-rans.