DAVID Shacklady's bid to extend his lead in the PGA North Region Brother Winter Series order of merit was put on freeze - after he'd injured a finger defrosting a fridge!

The Ormskirk-based professional, who won the first of the six fixtures at Mere last month, completed only six holes at Portal before retiring in pain.

He said: ''I strapped up the finger but after hitting a few shots I was in agony. It could be a couple of weeks before I'll risk playing again.''

But with Knott End's Paul Walker and David Cox, from Rotherham club Bonday, sharing the spoils with three-under-par 70s, Leisure Lakes-attached Shacklady held his top spot in the merit which he led for most of last winter until he was pipped at the post by Birchwood's Phil Archer.

Meanwhile, the North Region are looking for a new sponsor following Manchester-based electronic company Brother's decision to finish their 14-year association at the end of the series.

Regional secretary Jim Croxton said: ''They've been wonderful supporters but they are restructuring their business and looking at alternative options to golf.

''The series is hugely popular with our professionals and their amateur partners and we do not envisage any problems finding a new sponsor.''