Tom Peacock could be on the verge of making a major national breakthrough after achieving his highest finish in a national tournament.

The 22-year-old Dudsbury player whose handicap is plus-three finished tied fourth in the Lytham Trophy at the Royal Lytham championship links in Lancashire.

His rounds of 76 71 73 and 74 his second round being a highlight as it was achieved in a howling gale have given him encouragement for the future.

"It was a bit annoying not to pick up a few more shots as I missed a lot of short putts," he said after being the second-best Englishman after international Paul Bradshaw (Gainsborough).

He returned better scores than almost every member of the Walker Cup squad.

He wants to play in all the national events this year and, thanks to being allowed generous time off from his job at American Discount, he also plans to play in The Open qualifier.

Dudsbury's Giles Legg is also feeling pretty pleased as he also featured prominently at Lytham. Last year's beaten finalist in the English finished just one shot behind Peacock in joint sixth.

He was knocked back by a 78 in the second round. He dropped five shots in the last six holes of his second round when conditions were at their worst.

He started well with 72 and rallied on the second day with 71 and 74.

"It was tough out there," he said. "But it is marvellous for Dorset to have two players in the top six."

Dean Barnes (Ferndown), the third Dorset player, missed the cut by one shot after shooting 82 and 71.

Ed Butler (Lansdown), winner of the West of England, went straight to Lancashire to play in the Lytham Trophy where he shared sixth spot with Legg from rounds of 77 74 72 72.

It was no surprise that Dorset lost heavily in a friendly against Berks, Bucks and Oxon at Parasampla, Reading, 10.5-1.5.

Secretary Doug Pratt said: "We were given to believe they would field a second team but they included all their top people off plus handicaps.

"With three players at Lytham and Rob Thomas, Lee Booth and Tony Lawrence not available we fielded a very young team."

Broadstone's promising two-handicapper Adrian Harris and Roger Seed from Lyme Regis won their foursomes, but the only success in the singles came from Ferndown's Tom Leach who managed a half.