Overnight leaders, David Higgins from Ireland and David Bransdon of Australia, both fell away in the second round of the St Omer Open as strong winds made scoring difficult at the French venue.

England's Marcus Higley, two strokes off the pace after the first round, bogeyed two of the last three holes at the Aa course but claimed the early second round lead with a one-under 70 which took him to five-under 137. By the end of the day he was joined in a share of the lead by Australia's Peter Fowler (67) and Spain's Carl Suneson (70).
       
Higley earned his full tour card through last year's Challenge Tour order of merit and looked happy with the transition when he finished tied fifth in the Malaysian Open in February.
   
His results have been poor since, however, and the Englishman came into the French event in a lowly 169th spot on the European money-list.
   
"I've struggled a bit since Malaysia," Higley told reporters. "It's hard making the change. The courses are set up more difficult than the Challenge Tour and obviously there are stronger fields."
   
As the winds billowed up the scoring - most of the morning field were unable to even reach the fairway on the 10th from the tee - Higgins's 76 left him four shots off the lead and Bransdon was five behind Higley after a 77.

Stephen Browne returned a 72 to be one over for the tournament and still within touching distance of the lead. Michael Hoey, however, missed the cut by five shots after his second round 76 left the Belfast man eight over.