IRELAND'S players met with mixed fortunes in yesterday's second round of the Wild Coast Challenge in South Africa. John McHenry just stayed inside the halfway cut, but David Higgins returned a disappointing homeward nine of 39 to bow out of the tournament.

On a day when the weather was conducive to excellent scoring, McHenry, who opened with a first round of 71, looked to be falling out of the tournament picture with a front nine of 38. His problem of the fortnight - blocking all of his drives right - was still with him.

But he managed to find some, semblance of form on his return nine, coming back in a two under par 33 for a 71 and a 36 hole aggregate of 142. The 31 year old ended up making the cut by just one shot.

As for Higgins, he was disconsolate to find he had missed the cut by two shots after his impressive opening nine of two under par 33.

"For the past two weeks I've been playing really well from tee to green, it's just the putting that's been a problem. Even when I hit the ball close, I'm not holing the birdie pulls."

Higgins eventually came back in four over par 39 for a second round 72 and, with that, his chances of featuring over the weekend disappeared.

The halfway lead was shared by South Africa's Sean Pappas and countryman Hugh Biocchi, who finished on a 36 hole total of 133, seven under for the tournament.