Paul Randle (Nuneaton), adjusting to a very busy life now he is married, also matched Browning and Paul was –3 after 7, then had a hatful of chances to go low only to miss from 3ft on the last for a par. Mark Davies (Kenilworth) added his name to those on –2, as did Neil Taylor (Rugby) who made four birdies and only two mistakes, saving a number of pars with good recoveries.

The trio of Matt Cryer (Defending Champion – Coventry), Andy Sullivan (Purley Chase) and David Harris (Kenilworth) did not fair well in each other’s company. Matt has not been playing well for a few weeks – ‘I’ve had such a bad time at the moment’. Andy Sullivan was hitting the ball incredible distances but took 36 putts for a 75 and Harris, -2 with 5 to play dropped three shots to finish with a 73.

Of the players at University in the US, Jon Wetton matched the 73 from David Harris whilst Ryan Burton, who has not yet had the success of Wetton and Harris in College golf was on 76.

Wetton played with Rob Steele (Kenilworth), and could only have been impressed by

The quality of a 69 which could have been so much lower as Rob seemed to be on a ‘radar’ for the flags.

‘I’m just hitting it well. That’s the best I have ever played for a 69 – I had 34 putts.’

Rob is in the EGU squads so he is under a great deal of pressure to perform well in every tournament he plays. His fellow Warwickshire 1st team members Louis Meryon (Olton) has a scratch handicap and enjoys the time playing for the County but is far more relaxed about his golf.

‘I’ve done no work – finishing bogey par bogey was not the best finish.’

Louis matched Steele’s 69 with five birdies, none on the par fives.

From the home club of Robin Hood, Oliver West (Twice Warwickshire Boys champion) should have been another sub 70, only finishing on 71 courtesy of a 7 at the par four last.