Holders take early lead

Colin Montgomerie’s Britain and Ireland side took a two-point lead on the opening day of the Seve Trophy match against Continental Europe at El Saler near Valencia today.

The home team’s only winners in the first session of fourballs were German Alex Cejka and France's Raphael Jacquelin, who took the first six holes against Justin Rose and Ian Poulter and then withstood a fightback for a four and three victory.