Poulter and Monty in birdie blitz

Ian Poulter and Colin Montgomerie matched each other birdie for birdie and left Lee Westwood trailing behind again as the second round of the British Masters got underway at Woburn.

Poulter's birdies at the 10th and 12th took him to six under par and into a one-stroke lead.

Tournament favourite and playing partner Montgomerie followed suit, and at four under moved into a share for fourth place.

Westwood was hoping that his opening 71 was the start of a return to form, but when he ran up a bogey six at his second hole of the morning the former European number one again found himself in a battle to survive the halfway cut.

Justin Rose continued his good form with birdies at the 10th and 12th to go to four under.

Overnight leaders Santiago Luna and Robert-Jan Derksen are among the afternoon starters.