CHRIS Geraghty gave Lancashire a timely boost ahead of their big Northern League showdown with Yorkshire at Hesketh on Saturday when he won the Silver Pheasant at Fairhaven by three shots.

The St Anne's Old Links youngster lagged three shots behind first round pace-setters Michael Hunt and Mark Pilling after a 71.

But in a strengthening wind he hit back with a 69 for an eight-under-par total, finishing in style with an eagle at the 515-yard final hole.

Preston's James Pye handed in 70 and 73 to take second place with the fast-improving Whitefield player Nicky Harris third, four shots off the lead.

Hunt, last year's Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit winner from Pleasington, added a 77 for fifth place, with Pilling carding a 78 for seventh.

Cheshire player Ian Winstanley, from Warrington, was 10th and increased his lead in the merit to 95 points over Hart Common's Ken Hudson. Tweet