PHIL Archer awarded himself top marks for his "homework" as he prepared for next week's European Tour Qualifying School in Spain by racking up seven birdies in the Mansell Finishes Winter Series at the testing West Lancs course.

The 36-year-old professional, who represents Birchwood, will be encouraged by his six-under-par 66 in his quest to retain his full playing rights on the main circuit.

But he did not have it all his own way as his score was matched by High Legh Park-attached Ian Ridgway who is also off to Spain in his eighth attempt to win his card.

Archer looked to be coasting to victory as he grabbed six birdies in his opening 10 holes after starting his round at the second.

He added another at the 16th before blotting his card with a lone bogey on the home green.

Ridgway, who plies to trade on the EuroPro Tour, was equally impressive and enjoyed a run of three successive birdies from the second on his way to signing for a perfect set of figures.

Craig Corrigan, from Haigh Hall, was third a shot off the pace as Bolton-based Steve Parry increased his lead in the Order of Merit.

Meanwhle, Stamford professional Mark Smith enjoyed a double pay-out in the Manchester Alliance at Withington, totting up 40 points to win the individual prize then added another six to the total to clinch the pro-am with England international Matthew Nixon from Ashton-under-Lyne.

The pair were five ahead of next best Andrew Baguley and Mark Riley, from Leigh who beat Davenport's Graham Cox and Will Bell on countback.

Am-am honours went to Paul Donelan, of Regent Park, and Haydock's John Hynes whose 42 points left Alliance captain Brian Hopkins and his Shrigley Hall clubmate Roy Hargreaves on behind.

Standish Court professional Stuart McGrath posted three-under-par 70 to win the West Lancs Alliance at Fairhaven when James Barr and Neil Fox, from Chilli Dip Academy in Blackrod, topped the pro-am with 41 points, Marriott Worsley Park duo John Conlan claiming the am-am award with the same total.

GREAT Lever and Farnworth host Horwich tomorrow in the twice-postponed Jack Taylor Trophy semi-final. Winners will face Old Links, 4-1 conquers of Westhoughton, at a venue and on a date yet to be decided.