Twelve months ago Montgomerie was undone by Philip Walton in a sudden death play-off and this time

Twelve months ago Montgomerie was undone by Philip Walton in a sudden death play-off and this time, despite hitting the front with what seemed like perfect timing, he came up short on the last two holes and was overtaken by the Australian Robert Allenby "I had two bad lies at inopportune moments," Monty said. With no hint of false modesty, Colin Montgomerie had said that the changes he helped to introduce to the Forest of Arden course would "sort out the best". He was, of course, referring to himself but he was not quite as good as his word. Smith was beautifully caught right on the deep mid-wicket fence, a catch which was bettered only by Rob Turner's dash for 30 yards from behind his stumps, with his back to the ball, to dismiss Dermot Reeve.By that stage Somerset had a strangle-hold on the match and 58 runs off the last five overs was too big a bound even for the Bears.Cricket scoreboard, page 22. Pollock spent all but five minutes of the interval signing autographs for a gathering of about 250 children before Warwickshire lost Andy Moles to mid-off, at 12, the start of an innings that struggled to gain impetus.A used pitch was possibly a little less reliable and only Neil Smith and various passing partners promised success. With Lee having a fuller swing, they made a contrasting pair as they added 156 in 21 exciting overs, beating the 144 raised by Steve Waugh and Ricky Bartlett against Middlesex at Lord's eight years ago.Lathwell's zenith was a glorious straight six off Dougie Brown, and when he eventually fell in attempting to clear long off, his runs had been made of 94 balls.Lee, trying to attack against Shaun Pollock, was caught at deep mid-off in the next over and Somerset, at 212 for 4 with 30 balls remaining, could have made hay.In fact, only another 36 runs were forthcoming as the county champions remembered who they were.

He had an impressive first full season in 1992, was hurriedly capped against Australia in 1993 when out of form and has since been left to trundle around the cricketing world on A tours. At 24, he is now showing a sense of maturity and the value of experience. He saw his first three partners depart charging while he remained composed, disdainful of such giddiness. It was not until he was joined by Shane Lee, at 56 for 3 after 14 overs, that he decided to open up as well, being reluctant to concede centre stage to the Australian. Lathwell's strength is his ability to see the ball early, wait and then apply with a minimum of movement, short arm jabs that that give the bowler and the field no time to anticipate the likely direction of the ball when it comes off the bat.

A dazzling 93 from Mark Lathwell, the major contribution to a county record fourth-wicket stand in the Sunday League, reinforced a growing belief that his time, like Nasser Hussain's, may come again. The Republic looked as though they might give McCarthy a change of fortune when Watford teenager David Connolly gave them the lead in the 56th minute. Both sides had enough chances to provide a hatful of goals for the 25,332 crowd but they missed many simple openings in the second half.The Irish travel to New Jersey for their remaining games in the tournament against Mexico and Bolivia, but they will be hard-pressed to win either of those games on last night's showing.UNITED STATES: Friedel (Galatasaray); Burns, Lalas (both New England Revolution), Balboa (Colorado Rapids), Agoos (Washington DC Utd), Dooley (Schalke 04), Harkes (Washington DC Utd), Ramos (New York/New Jersey MetroStars), Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Reyna (Bayer Leverkusen), Wynalda (San Jose Clash).REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given; Kenna (both Blackburn Rovers), Breen (Birmingham City), Kernaghan (Manchester City), Cunningham (Wimbledon), Phelan (Chelsea), McLoughlin (Portsmouth), O'Brien (Tranmere Rovers), Farrelly (Aston Villa), Quinn (Manchester City), Connolly (Watford).Referee: P Prendergast (Jamaica).. Mick McCarthy is still looking for his first win in six games as the Republic of Ireland manager after watching his side lose narrowly in the US Cup to an experienced USA team at Foxboro Stadium in Boston last night. A Tab Ramos equaliser two minutes after the Irish had gone ahead and a goal from Claudio Rayna in the 75th minute were enough to give the Americans victory. Portugal: Oceano, Sa Pinto, Paulo Sousa, Joao Pinto, Paulinho Santos.Man of the match: Rui Costa.Attendance: 34,993.. Substitutes: Folha (Porto) for Oceano, 3; Domingos (Porto) for Figo, 63; Tavares (Boavista) for Paulo Sousa, 79.Referee: M van der Ende (Netherlands).Bookings: Denmark: Risager, Helveg. Substitutes: Piechnik (Aarhus) for Thomsen, 83; Vilfort (Brondby) for Larsen, 90.PORTUGAL (4-4-1-1): Vitor Baia (Porto); Paulinho Santos (Porto), Fernando Couto (Parma), Helder (Benfica), Dimas (Benfica); Sa Pinto (Uniao Leiria), Paulo Sousa (Juventus), Oceano (Sporting Lisbon), Figo (Barcelona); Rui Costa (Fiorentina); Joao Pinto (Benfica).

Antonio Folha whipped in a centre from the left, which curled away from Schmeichel.The goalkeeper had decided, not unreasonably, that Jens Risager was better placed to effect the clearance. But the defender was caught ball-watching, allowing Sa Pinto to steal in front of him and score his first goal at international level.Portugal had earned their parity, and Denmark were once more indebted to Schmeichel's anticipation and willingness to use his legs after Joao Pinto had wriggled clear. In contrast Vitor Baia remained a virtual spectator, but he partially redeemed himself by denying Brian Laudrup with his feet 15 minutes from time.Denmark's mantle did not rest easily on their shoulders. Michael Laudrup, reportedly intent on making up for missing out on Euro 92, was disappointingly off the pace. Beck, too, often toiled alone, and hard though any team boasting Schmeichel will be to beat, it was Portugal's youthful precocity that won over neutrals in the crowd.Goals: B Laudrup (22) 1-0; Sa Pinto (53) 1-1.DENMARK (1-3-5-1): Schmeichel (Manchester United); Hogh (Fenerbahce); Helveg (Udinese), Rieper (West Ham), Risager (Brondby); B Laudrup (Rangers), Larsen (Lyngby), Thomsen (Ipswich Town), B S Nielsen (Odense), M Laudrup (Real Madrid); Beck (Fortuna Cologne). Ironically, the equaliser came after one of Denmark's more flowing attacks was broken up. A fierce, angled drive left Vitor Baia forlorn.Still Portugal swept forward.

Schmeichel, who must have been unsighted, saved brilliantly from Rui Costa's cunning low free-kick. He then acted almost as a sweeper to block with his legs as Joao Pinto took aim from 12 yards out.The irrepressible Rui Costa tried his luck again from long range as the interval beckoned. Schmeichel's finger tips diverted the shot behind yet the referee, otherwise impressively firm and unfussy, awarded a goalkick.Portugal's enterprise was duly rewarded eight minutes into the second half. In the Portuguese goal, the comparatively unemployed Vitor Baia was to have no such good fortune as the Danes took the lead midway through the first half in practically their only moment of menace. Although the Rangers player still had it all to do, he swerved round Fernando Couto and Paulinho Santos before switching the ball on to his right foot.