LANCASHIRE'S hopes of winning their first Northern Counties Championship since 1995 were hit for six by Durham at Seaton Carew.

Cliff Bowman's charges went into the contest as clear favourites to end Yorkshire's run of eight successive wins.

And although they finished seven shots ahead of the Tykes, that was also the margin they trailed the host county - who have won only one match in three years in the Northern League.

Despite the efforts of England player Richard Walker - who fired a 72 - and Manchester Hopwood's Roger Smithies, carding 74 and 73, Lancashire were outgunned by Durham, who owed much of their success to Rob Dinwiddie.

The 21-year-old, who is at Tennessee State University on a golfing scholarship, took the individual title with superb scores of 69 and 71.

Cheshire, who also fancied their chances, endured a disastrous day as they finished sixth, a huge 34 shots off the pace.

• DUNSCAR junior Harry Proos is on course to become the youngest winner of the Bolton Championship after finishing fourth of the eight qualifiers at Hindley Hall.
  
  The 15-year-old strung together rounds of 71 and 73 to earn the right to meet Breightmet's Rob Brown, a past winner, in tonight's first matchplay round.
  
  Steve Bryan led the eight finalists with 73 and 67, two shots ahead of Old Links clubmate Matt Taylor.
  
  Bryan faces Deane youngster James Barr. And clubmate Andy Runicman, who took the title two years ago, takes on another Old Links qualifier John Scholes. Taylor faces three-time champion Bill Bromilow (Chorley).
  
  
• LANCASHIRE toppled defending Northern Counties Women's champions Cheshire 7-2 at Seascale in the final round, but had to settle for third as Yorkshire pipped Durham to the title by a point.