Golf: James sets up lead as US falter

THE combined team of Britain and Ireland moved one stroke ahead of the United States after yesterday's second round of the World Amateur Team Championship, at La Boulie, near Versailles.

Led by Lee James who fired a six-under-par 66 at the French National, the British and Irish squad finished eight-under overall at 421.

James, the British Amateur champion from Dorset, helped his brilliant round with an eagle at the 18th, hitting a three-iron to 20 inches from the pin.

Warren Bennett shot a 68 and Gordon Sherry had a 74 for the two other scores counting towards the four- man team total.