ROB and Cai James were surprisingly beaten in the preliminary round of Colchester Golf Club’s Winter League knockout stages.

Despite not playing badly, they lost 6&5 to Rob Svensson and Ralph Charles who were in top form.

Svensson and Charles now take on Lewis and Charlie Barber, who beat Miles and Trevor Hooton in their preliminary round.

Holders Joe and Ben Williams had what appeared to be a comfortable win over Tim Rogers and Dick Bokenham.

Keith Newnham and Lionel Keightley had a 4&3 win over Paul Jackson and Paul Smith.

Ian Parry and Russell Storey got the better of Rob Tucker and Richard Watts, 3&2.

They will now play Adam Harper and Tony Jordan, who defeated Andrew Smith and Steve Dack by the same score.

Phil Hayward and Alan Hyde beat Steve Sharman and Gary Driver to book a quarter-final meeting with Jeff Johnson and Mike O’Sullivan, who saw off Martin Halls and Danny Simons.

Colchester GC's ladies played another 14-hole stableford which was won by Sheila Dornan (28), who recorded 30 points.

She was followed in by Julie Dicks (13) with 26 points and Annie Johnston (14), who had 25 points.

Janet Wilson (36) and Joan Cotterill (25) both returned 23 points, to complete the top places.