MARK FOSTER became the first player in 22 years to defend successfully the English Amateur championship when he dismissed Sam Jarman six-and- five in the 36-hole final. Not since Harry Ashby completed the double in 1972 and 1973 has the trophy been retained, but Foster, the 20-year- old player from Worksop, was never behind after sinking birdie putts on the opening two holes.

Jarman, 23, from Woburn, was the surprise finalist, having never gone beyond the second round - his biggest achievement is playing county golf with Berks, Bucks and Oxon. He was outgunned by his high-flying opponent, who makes his Walker Cup debut at Porthcawl next month.

Foster made the perfect start, with winning birdies from 10ft and 25ft at the opening two holes. He extended it to three up when Jarman bogeyed the short seventh. Then Foster delivered a telling blow at the long ninth.

With the hole playing far less than its 508 yards in the arid conditions and with a following wind, Foster's eight-iron second shot finished two feet from the cup and he was conceded the putt for an eagle three to be four ahead, Foster going out in 34, three under, to Jarman's 39.

Neither player sparkled in the inward half, but Foster still had the edge as Jarman, seemingly overawed by the occasion, surrendered two more holes to be six down at lunch.

Strangely, just as victory for Foster looked assured, his concentration wavered and he lost the seventh and eighth with bogeys. But Jarman was also vulnerable and two bogeys restored Foster's seven-hole lead after 11.

That 11th summed up the match. Foster mishit his drive to just 100 yards, but although Jarman struck two solid shots he did not take advantage, three-putting for a bogey while Foster holed out from 15ft for his par. Halves at the 13th saw Foster to victory.

"I didn't play as well this year as in last year's final but this is a different course that requires different golf," said Foster. "Towards the end I lost concentration but I hung in there. When you consider I didn't hit a ball between Open qualifying and coming here, it isn't so bad."