NO-ONE was surprised when John Cheetham won the James Brearley Lancashire Open at Blackpool North Shore - especially the player himself.

The 24-year-old Marriott Worsley Park assistant said: "I felt I was going to make the breakthrough because I've been consistently turning in good scores over the last few weeks."

And Cheetham chalked up his maiden victory in his second season as a professional in convincing style - a flawless closing six-birdie round of 66 to tag to his opening 67.

That added up to nine-under-par and left him a shot ahead of Bury's Sean Doherty and David Shacklady, a treble winner of the event, from Mossock Hall.

"I drew a lot of confidence from the Open Championship final qualifier at West Lancs where I was in contention until the last few holes," said Cheetham.

"I also finished 10th in the PGA North Region Championship then 15th in the Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh Open PGA Championship at Royal St David's last week."

And he attributed part of his success to his coach Phil Newnes at the Chilli Dip Golf Centre in Blackrod.

"He's got me hitting the right shapes - a draw off the tee and a fade with my irons," he added.

Heysham's Jack Taylor won the amateur prize after rounds of 68 and 69, five-under-par, earned him fifth place overall.

Bolton's Bob Longworth won the senior title with 73 and 74.

FYLDE reversed last year's defeat by Manchester in the Lancashire Scratch League final, winning by two points at Breightmet.

Curtis Dean gave them a flying start by beating Neil Self six and five then Sean Nicholls saw off his county team-mate Gareth Clark two and one.

Manchester rallied through Roger Smithies and Paul Williams before CharlieHoyle and Matt Walton secured Fylde's success.

CHARLES Durnian, son of Manchester legend Denis, reached the fourth round of the Brtish Boys' Championship at Little Aston by despatching Germany's Jonas Kugel at the second extra hole.

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