The shock team so far in the Davies and Tate Trophy is Singing Hills from Albourne.

They have a record of under-achieving in the Sussex Inter-Club Matchplay Knockout, but that is all in the past.

After removing Littlehampton in the first round, they upset the form book by winning 7-5 at Hollingbury Park in a delayed second-round tie and now entertain West Hove in what promises to be a battle royal.

Hopes were high at Hollingbury after disposing of Cowdray Park, but the wheels came off the young side who have a formidable reputation on their own turf.

Singing in the Rain could well become the theme song of Simon Adby's team after they got off to a flying start by winning the foursomes 3-1.

The morning matches were played in a downpour but nothing dampened the spirits of the visitors. The key foursomes saw Viv Street and Paul Gray pip Stuart and Jonathan Hope by one hole and that reverse sent shock waves through the rest of the Hollingbury outfit.

In the shared singles, Adby, greenkeeper at Tilgate Forest, and Simon Stoner maintained their 100 per cent records. Mark Nye, the Hollingbury captain, bit on the bullet and congratulated Singing Hills on their unexpected victory.

He said: "They deserved it."

Worthing manager Eric Reekie missed the first-round defeat of Ham Manor as he was on holiday. When it was time for the holders to entertain East Brighton, whom they beat in last year's final, Reekie selected the foursomes pairings and saw the matches off. He then left to attend a wedding in Hertfordshire confident of the team carrying too much fire power for East Brighton.

This proved the case, Worthing winning 6,-3, after halving the foursomes in heavy rain. He said: "I kept in touch by phone."

The true pedigree of the Worthing players came through. Gary Brayshaw, last year's captain and the inspiration behind the Trophy-winning side of two years ago, was the only East Brighton player to win a full point in beating Peter Drew, one up. There were impressive Worthing performances with scores of 6 and 5 from Robert Bright, Joe Doherty winning 6 and 4 and Kevin Bashford and Scott Nightingale coming in with 4 and 4 successes.

Royal Ashdown Forest built on a 3-1 foursomes cushion to beat The Nevill 9-3 at Forest Row. Only Mike King and Nigel Waites recorded singles wins for the Tunbridge Wells club. For Ashdown, Richard Darlington set the ball rolling with a 4 and 2 defeat of Gary Learoyd.

Then Andrew Smith showed no mercy to Gary Colson, winning by 7 and 6. Ian Gilland followed up with the 4 and 3 defeat of Tod Adcock and Ashdown were in control. Now Ashdown play hosts to near neighbours Holtye.

Waterlogged Crowborough Beacon had to switch their match to Goodwood and went down 8-4 after trailing 3-1 at lunch. But, when Crowborough won the first three singles, it was left to Goodwood's middle order to stand firm and five victories eased earlier doubts.

Four of the wins were decisive but Steve Lelliot was given a hard fight by Crowborough's Andrew Mackellow before winning by one hole. Now Goodwood brace themselves for a visit from West Sussex.

The one unresolved first-round tie in the Trophy was decided when Ifield won 7-5 at East Sussex National. Conditions were wet and the local pick-and-place rule was in operation throughout the West Course except in hazards.

The tie should have been decided over a month ago, but ESN has been in such a state that any golf, let alone a top match, has been more or less out of the question. After leading the foursomes 3-1, ESN fell apart and could only manage two wins at the tail end of the order.

Now the ESN's outstanding county youngsters are performing for other clubs, the choice of team captain Alan Ratcliffe has been reduced.

This was much in evidence in the singles when Paul Fisher, the Ifield captain, Colin Jones, Paul Amos, Bill Groombridge all followed the example of lead man Alan Cousins by winning their matches.