RICHARD Walker breezed to record back-to-back victories in the Northern Counties Championship at wind-lashed Silloth.

But as the 30-year-old England star took the individual title by two shots, his Lancashire team-mates contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

And once again it was the old enemy Yorkshire who denied them an overdue success on the testing, windy Solway links.

Trailing five shots behind host Cumbria after the first round and four in front of Yorkshire, Lancashire nosed ahead as Walker added a 74 to his opening 71 and Mike Kanski and Mark Ramsdale weighed in with 78 apiece as the strengthening wind sent scores soaring.

Cumbria, expected to prevail in their own back yard, were blown off course and it became a straight fight between the Roses rivals, and Lancashire looked in great shape when England international Richard Finch dropped four shots at the 13th.

But Finch and Richard Jones orchestrated a Tyke fight back when all seemed lost. Jones birdied the last three holes for a second round best level par 72 to revive their hopes.

Then Finch broke Lancashire's hearts with four birdies over the last five holes for a 74 as his playing companion, Denton's Robert Bardsley, handed in a 78.

Astonishingly, this was Yorkshire six successive victory in the tournament and once again Lancashire were consoled by Walker's performance as he posted a one-over-par two rounds total.

He said: "Part of my game plan was to keep the ball in play by hitting it low in the wind."

Reddish Vale's Barry Barker was in a three-way tie for second place as Cheshire finished fourth 12 shots off the pace.