Sussex Colts rallied after manager John Wilson was rushed to East Surrey hospital suffering with stomach pains the night before the match against Surrey at Betchworth Park.

The team pledged a victory for John who arrived at the course the next day having been diagnosed with an umbilical hernia.

In the meantime, Colin Wells, the Sussex captain, dropped everything and hurried from his Littlehamton home to take charge of the team.

John's arrival coincided with Sussex tieing the foursomes 2-2 and he stayed to see his players break their losing streak.

Jack Budgen and Rob Bury continued their partnership from the first team to win 4&2 and a 6&5 success for junior imports Ben Evans and Ollie Turnill sent the players into lunch in high spirits.

A change in the order sent Budgen, the Sussex champion, out first in the singles and, with straight driving and sound putting, he came home a 5&4 winner.

Turnill came up against long-hitting Steve Benson and lost 4&3 but then both Bury and Chris Purton won their matches on the 16th with 3&2 victories.

Team captain Henry Hilton battled back from three down to take his match to the 18th but lost by one hole.

Stuart McGowan also went down fighting on the 17th. Most pleasing was Craig McCollum putting a losing run behind him to win 2&1.

This left Ben Evans, who was four down at the 13th but won the next three holes and was on the 17th in two only to miss a four-footer to square the match.

However, on the 18th he made a superb 140-yard eight iron to less than a foot from the pin to give Sussex the half point needed for the 6.5-5.5 victory.

Wilson said: "I was touched that the boys were so concerned and, good as their word, they did the business. Perhaps I should make a habit of being carted off to hospital every match."