GOLF: It must be many, many years since Woodbridge were knocked out of both the Suffolk Golf Union's Hambro and Tolly Cobbold Cups at the first hurdle. But that's what happened in the preliminary round ties with the Hambro Cup side going down by just two holes at Diss and the Tolly Cobbold Cup team succumbing to Bury St Edmunds by a 22-hole margin.

IT must be many, many years since Woodbridge were knocked out of both the Suffolk Golf Union's Hambro and Tolly Cobbold Cups at the first hurdle.

But that's what happened in the preliminary round ties with the Hambro Cup side going down by just two holes at Diss and the Tolly Cobbold Cup team succumbing to Bury St Edmunds by a

22-hole margin.

Records are not at hand, I was told, when this last happened, but it must have come as something of a shock to find out that Woodbridge were already out of both competitions.

From Woodbridge's point of view there were no complaints as the better sides beat them on the day.

The Hambro side were without Jon Marks, now playing his way back following a hip operation, and Luke Miller, still in America, and they obviously missed that experience.

This Sunday sees the first round ties being played. By the end of the day the big guns of the Hambro will all be expected to have won through.

Rushmere, who had a bye in the preliminary round, could prove to be a threat to holders Stoke-by-Nayland, will have to guard against complacency in their home tie against Thorpeness.

Arguably the result of the preliminary round was Thorpeness' comprehensive victory by 18 holes over Stowmarket who for some years now have been a force in the Hambro Cup.

Stowmarket, like Woodbridge, could probably not have envisaged going out at the preliminary round stage – and even more so as the club currently celebrates its centenary.

Rushmere, another club with a good Hambro pedigree, have been warned that they could be up against it, although will be hopeful of making home advantage count.

Stoke-by-Nayland are holders in both competitions, and they may taking some shifting. In the Hambro, they are away to Aldeburgh following their narrow three-holes success at Bury St Edmunds while the Tolly side should be far too strong for visitors Southwold.

Both Ipswich and Felixstowe Ferry face away ties in the Hambro at Rookery Park and Aldeburgh Artisans respectively, while in the Tolly Cobbold, Ipswich, Rushmere, Fynn Valley and St Clements have all home advantage.