BURNHAM on Crouch’s men’s team braved the conditions to complete the first round of the Daily Mail Classic.

On Saturday they were due to play the event, a national knockout competition initially played locally, away at The Rayleigh Club.

The Burnham course was closed and The Rayleigh Club’s main South course was closed and it didn’t look as if this match would be going ahead on a very wintery day.

However, with preferred lies “through the green”, all bunkers declared GUR and special dispensation from the proprietor, the match was played out in chilly and occasionally blizzard conditions.

Vice-captain Roger Miles with club captain Keith Lewis on his bag did manage a victory but unfortunately losses for Brian Roche, Graham Bowers and James Marchant meant there was no need for Paul Heggarty to finish – accepting a half to leave the score 3½ to 1½ in favour of the home team.

The ladies were due to play The Warren in the Mail on Sunday but have gone through to the next round as their opposition could not field a team.

The winter leagues are moving closer to their conclusion before moving into the finals stage and discards are changing the possible outcomes.

League A have played six of eight and league B seven of eight.

In A1, Andy and Ryan Davies scored 42 points and the maximum 12 points and are now tied at the top with James Marchant and Tony Wilkin who had 39 and ten with both being on 40pts.

But just one point behind are Roy Carter and Andy Stokes.

In A2, Mickey Leonard and Paul Lindus again scored 40 points to gain maximum points and lead on 48.

Mark and Rob Hawsworth also scored 40 but lost on countback and had to settle for 10 points. Overall they are in second slot with 36.

Both League Bs are really tight at the top with one week to go.

In B1, outsiders Peter Collins and Stuart Steele scored 36 and with maximum points moved up the table.

Paul Winn and Steve Hitchens had 33 and moved into tied second slot with Steve Smith and Matthew Duck both with 45.

The leaders, Don Vidgeon and Tom Cecil, had a week off and used the discard and are just one point ahead.

In B2, the leaders Graham Bowers and Fenton Yeulett also had a week off and have 52.

Simon Vidgeon and George Grimes, who have 49 points, did not capitalise with the leaders being absent.

Daniel Munro and Chris Roberts had a good week and scored 34 points to claim a maximum of 12 and have moved up into third on 45 points.