Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen battled against heavy rain to join Briton Mark Foster at the top of the leaderboard after the second round of the British Masters at the Belfry on Friday.
The pair were on seven-under-par 137, a stroke better than British trio Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Sam Walker, overnight pacesetter Martin Erlandsson of Sweden and Dane Soren Kjeldsen.
Foster set the early target after a morning of high winds at the Ryder Cup venue, carding the day's joint-best score of six-under 66.
Derksen matched him with a 68, finishing his round just before the siren went to signal a 15-minute suspension while the downpour subsided.
"I'm delighted with five birdies on a tough day," Derksen told reporters. "My mindset didn't change when all the rain came down and fortunately I was lucky to finish before the siren went so it didn't upset my concentration."
The Dutchman is looking for a third European Tour title, having finished second recently in the Russian Open.
Foster has lapsed into the role of tour journeyman since achieving his only success at the 2003 Dunhill Championship in South Africa.
A solid putting display gave the 32-year-old Englishman hope he could get back in the winner's circle.
"It's driving me crazy I've not been able to go on from my win," said Foster. "I'm searching for somebody to help me on the mental side."
There were plenty of calamaties on a day of bad weather.
Swedish Ryder Cup player Robert Karlsson broke two clubs on a tree as he ran up a triple-bogey eight at the third hole but still made the cut.
Karlsson was able to send for replacements before finishing his round.
Alastair Forsyth, last week's joint runner-up in Cologne, did miss the cut.
The Briton ran up an 11 on the revamped par-four sixth after finding water four times, then threw one of his clubs in the pond.
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