BRADLEY Wilkins of Fynn Valley and Michael Swan of Stoke by Nayland, both plus one, are amongst the favourites to win the Suffolk Amateur Foursomes at Aldeburgh on Sunday and have their names engraved on the MacLeod Cup.

By Tony Garnett

BRADLEY Wilkins of Fynn Valley and Michael Swan of Stoke by Nayland, both plus one, are amongst the favourites to win the Suffolk Amateur Foursomes at Aldeburgh on Sunday and have their names engraved on the MacLeod Cup.

If this partnership proves successful it could be retained for Suffolk's challenge to win the Anglian League.

It is a strong field for this 36-hole scratch event. James Keely and Chris Bye of Woodbridge, both former professionals, could prove hard to beat.

Course knowledge is always a factor. Alex Stanley, back from Durham University, partners James Reiss who is booked to study at Iowa University.

Stanley is a former foursomes winner with Chris Smith of Fynn Valley at Diss two years ago. This year Smith teams up with the long-hitting Warren Goddard who could post a low score if their drives stay out of the gorse.

Paul Barnard and Graham Wardley of Ipswich look formidable while Paul Whittle and Paul Pengelly of Stoke by Nayland were winners at Rushmere in 2004.

Ivan Fryer and Jamie Philpot of Thorpeness know the Aldeburgh course well while Kevin Eagle and Peter Robinson of Rushmere are capable of finishing well up the leader board on a good day.

Syer Shulver of Beccles, a former professional in good current form, plays with Jonathan Fisher in a partnership that could be underestimated by their rivals.

The vastly experienced pairing of former Suffolk captains Jon Marks and Charlie Woods cannot be ruled out. Neither can Neil Meadows and John Maddock who have plenty of county experience behind them.

Hungry teenagers include Suffolk junior foursomes champions Hugo Dobson and Patrick Spraggs while Tom Stephenson and Sam Forgan look useful.

Father and son pairings include Chris and Matthew Ginn of Woodbridge and Aldeburgh's Peter Savage with his son Paul who plays at Felixstowe.

Play starts at 8am on two tees. The first matches of the second round will be at 12.45pm.