MANCHESTER wrestled back the National Alliance Championship from Liverpool, who took it from them last year, in a contest decided by a card play-off after the sides had tied on 166 points at Marriott Worsley Park.

Steve Hamer and his son Martyn, an assistant at Ellesmere, top scored for the hosts with 46 points but trailed one behind Lee Park professional Chris Crowder and Stuart Royal, who were the leading pair.

Crowder also took the individual award with 42 points, two better than Clitheroe's Stuart Andrew, who represented East Lancs. Derbyshire were third overall.

Meanwhile, Warrington won a tense battle against Worsley in the BMW Junior Challenge at Lowes Park.

The result hinged on Liam McHugh's final green triumph over Alyn Cousins as Warrington prevailed 4-2.

Earlier in the day they beat Marple 4-3 as Chorley, whose top squad was representing Lancashire in the English County Junior finals at Woodhall Spa, lost by the same margin to Worsley.

FRANCE'S Raphael Jacquelin won the Madrid Open - his first win after 27 top 10 finishes - by three strokes with a closing 69, 23-under-par all told. Tweet