Teams take solid Hargrove lead

Hawkstone Park and Bridgnorth have taken giant steps towards creating a Shropshire monopoly on the 2007 Hargrove Trophy final.

The duo picked up healthy first leg wins against Herefordshire opponents and will be favourites to progress to the final when the last four ties are completed today (Sunday).

But there are no signs of complacency from either camp as they face up to testing tomorrow's second leg in the pinnacle of S & H winter scratch golf.

Bridgnorth find themselves in a strong position after chalking up a 2-1 success - and seven hole advantage - at The Herefordshire.

All the damage was done in the top two matches where Darren Lewis and Paul McGarry proved too strong for Jon Devereux and John McQuillian as they registered a three-hole success.

And it was an even better story for Bridgnorth in match two where Declan McDonnell and Jeremy Wilson - unbeaten so far this season - were five-hole away winners against Elliot Shaw and Kevin Gibbons.

The Herefordshire outfit gave themselves hope when Neil Greening and Ben Synnock saw off Gavin Chandler and Tim Harvey by a hole to reduce the deficit, but they still have it all to do at Stanley Lane.

Not that Bridgnorth skipper Harvey is taking anything for granted.

"The Herefordshire have six very good players so to get a win from the away leg is very pleasing," said Harvey.

"Hopefully if we can have one good win at home and the other two pairs can hold it together then we will be alright.

"We are never confident but always optimistic."

Hawkstone Park make the trip to Belmont tomorrow knowing one full point will be enough to take them into their second successive final.

They take a 2.5-0.5 lead into their second leg after impressive performances from four young players.

In the top match, Tom Benbow and Sam Breakes proved too strong for Ryan Jones and Dan Morris as they stormed to a three-hole success.

And it was a similar story for Ricky Pharo and Ashley Chesters who had victory over the same scoreline over Greg Morgan and Colin Gladwyn.

Hawkstone were denied a clean sweep when Nic Evans and Nigel Chesters were held to a half by Pete James and Andy Lambert.

And Chesters senior said: "We were probably fortunate to get a half out of our game but I'm told the other two pairs played some excellent golf.

"It was a tidy result to have and we just want to follow it up with a solid performance tomorrow."