Richards claims county title

Ludlow's Darren Richards is the new Shropshire & Herefordshire amateur golf champion.

Richards shot rounds of 71 and 67 at Condover Shrewsbury, yesterday to win the title for the first time.

Patshull's Tim Roberts and Duncan Harris, of Bewdley Pines, were two shots adrift after carding rounds of 68 and 72.

Reigning champion Kris Williams was in contention after a 68 yesterday morning left him tied for the halfway lead, but he fell away with in the afternoon when he could only post a 74.

Richards, who won the S & H Open in 2002, was also awarded the final position on offer for the team in the six-man line-up for the Midlands qualifier for the English County Championships which will be held in Coventry on Saturday.