GOLF: A year ago Rushmere had thrashed Thorpeness by more than 30 holes in the Hambro Cup, but it was a very different story on Sunday.Paired against each other again Rushmere, who can choose from a strong squad, scraped home by just one hole despite having home advantage.

A YEAR ago Rushmere had thrashed Thorpeness by more than 30 holes in the Hambro Cup, but it was a very different story on Sunday.

Paired against each other again Rushmere, who can choose from a strong squad, scraped home by just one hole despite having home advantage.

"It was a nerve-racking day," said Harry Gallant, who became Rushmere's captain only a month ago.

"We didn't play to our full potential on a very windy day, but you can't take anything away from Thorpeness. It was a hell of a result for them only to lose by a single hole."

It was all square at lunchtime before Thorpeness edged ahead in the afternoon, but Rushmere came through in the end thanks to their two winning pairs of James Wright and Andrew Robinson who were six up on the day and Will Wright and Ashley Durrant who were three holes to the good over their opponents.

Rushmere had been warned that they could not underestimate Thorpeness who had produced the result of the preliminary round when they put out Stowmarket by 18 holes.

Rushmere could not have cut it finer and in the quarter-finals they are away at Flempton.

But Rushmere, having survived by the skin of their teeth against Thorpeness, did make it a double with their Tolly Cobbold side crushing Ufford Park by 36 holes to set up an interesting local derby in the quarter-finals at home to Fynn Valley.

Ipswich, who have disappointed in the last few years in the Hambro Cup, scored a decisive 12 holes victory away to Rookery Park to set up a home tie against Felixstowe Ferry who have reached the quarter-finals without hitting a ball.

In the preliminary round they had a bye, and Sunday's first round tie at Aldeburgh Artisans was conceded by the home side.

Holders Stoke-by-Nayland still remain the side to beat. After winning through narrowly at Bury St Edmunds in the preliminary round, Stoke won by ten holes at Aldeburgh and now visit The Suffolk in the quarter-finals where they will be expected to book their semi-final place.

St Clement's booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Tolly Cobbold Cup following a nine-hole success against Brett Vale. After two home draws the Saints are now away to Gorleston where they will find conditions vastly different.

The draws

Hambro Cup: Flempton v Rushmere, Ipswich v Felixstowe Ferry, Diss v Gorleston, The Suffolk v Stoke-by-Nayland.

Tolly Cobbold Cup: Haverhill v Ipswich, Rushmere v Fynn Valley, Gorleston v St Clements, Stoke-by-Nayland v Rookery Park.

Ties to be played on Sunday, June 2.