Gidney off to fine start

Shropshire county golfers Jonathan Gidney and Ricky Pharo have both hold top 10 places after the opening round of the North of England Amateur Youths Championship at Middlesborough.

Welsh Youth Champion Gidney of Church Stretton shot a 66 to lie joint third while Hawkstone Park's Pharo had a two under par 68 to hold joint eighth spot.

Pharo's club mate Ashley Chesters was also going well on 72, while Matt Davies of Kington had a 78.

The scratch 72 hole event has attracted the best under 23 players from all over the country.