Norfolk's men suffered a double defeat at the hands of Suffolk in the latest round of the Anglian League. Norfolk I were beaten 7½-4½ at Gt Yarmouth & Caister while Norfolk II lost 10-2 at Haverhill.

Norfolk's men suffered a double defeat at the hands of Suffolk in the latest round of the Anglian League.

Norfolk I were beaten 7½-4½ at Gt Yarmouth & Caister while Norfolk II lost 10-2 at Haverhill.

The first team's problems began when they scraped only half a point from the morning foursomes, courtesy of county captain Kevin Pratt and Norfolk Open champion Stuart Ballingall.

They came back strongly in the singles, however, sharing the afternoon honours.

County champion Dan Henderson (Royal Norwich) had seven birdies in the 13 holes he required to complete his win. Craig Butler (Royal Norwich) was three-under par in his match and Ballingall played well against the long-hitting Rhodri Harston, who won the 2006 Welsh U15 championship.

Pratt, who also produced a solid singles win, said: “It was a disappointing result after a good start but we have three games left and every chance of finishing the season with a good result.”

Meanwhile Norfolk II were simply beaten by a stronger side. Second team captain James Ollington said: “Their handicaps ranged from plus-two to two and ours from two to five. Their team was very strong and a lot stronger than us.”

Nick Paling of Royal Norwich was unbeaten, pairing up with Mark Burton (Royal Norwich) for a foursomes win and halving his singles. Burton was making his debut at this level, alongside club colleague Tom Robinson who had five birdies in his round and lost his singles only on the 18th.

Results: (Norfolk names first)

Norfolk I 4½ Suffolk I 7½

Foursomes: Dave Marshall (Barnham Broom) and Simon Locke (Royal Norwich) lost to Bradley Wilkins and Michael Swan 3 & 1. Dan Henderson (Royal Norwich) and James Palmer (Royal Norwich) lost to Alex Holmes and James Reiss 7 & 6. Kevin Pratt (Costessey Park) and Stuart Ballingall (Dunston Hall) halved with Liam Brace and John Wybar. Chase Davis (Costessey Park) and Craig Butler (Royal Norwich) lost to Rhodri Harston and Chris Smith 2 & 1.

Singles: Marshall halved with Wilkins. Henderson beat Reiss 6 & 5. Locke lost to Swan 7 & 6. Pratt beat Holmes 2 up. Palmer lost to Wybar 4 & 3. Ballingall halved with Rhodri Harston. Butler beat Smith 1 up. Davis lost to Liam Brace 4 & 3.

Norfolk II 2 Suffolk II 10

Foursomes: Stephen Chick (Dunston Hall) and Steve Tidy (Dunston Hall) lost to Kevin Eagle and Scott Brace 3/2. Bruce McQuade (Royal Norwich) and Mark King (Bawburgh) lost to Owen Pearl and Hugo Dobson 2 down. Nick Paling (Royal Norwich) and Mark Burton (Royal Norwich) beat Paul Whittle and Paul Dobson 2/1. James Ollington (Costessey Park) and Tom Robinson (Royal Norwich) lost to Rob Murray and Dave Quinney 5/4.

Singles: Chick lost to Pearl 2 down. Tidy halved with Brace. King lost to Eagle 5 and 4. McQuade lost to H Dobson one down. Burton lost to P Dobson 3/2. Robinson lost to Whittle two down. Paling halved with Murray. Ollington lost to Quinney

4/3.