Lead is shared championship at Shifnal

Caron Harrison and Amanda Mayne share the lead on two over par 74 after the first round of the English Senior Women's Strokeplay Championship at Shifnal.

Breathing down their necks, in a group two shots back, are two senior internationals and past champions – Sue Dye of Cheshire and Janet Melville who, like Caron – is a member of Sherwood Forest.

A further shot back is a group which includes the British senior champion, Felicity Christine, and another past winner of this title, Roz Adams.

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Harrison reached the turn in two over par, after three bogeys and a birdie, and came home in level par, with a birdie on the 10th and a disappointing bogey on the 18th.

"I didn't hole any long putts and it didn't feel spectacular at the time, but looking back on it now it's very special. It's a lovely way to start," she said.

Mayne's round had a touch of deja-vu about it. She also shared the lead after the first round of the English Senior Championship earlier this season at Tidworth Garrison and went on to reach the quarter-finals of the matchplay stages. She set up her score with a mix of four birdies and three bogeys on outward nine and said afterwards: "I played good, solid attacking golf. I was very pleased."

The Shropshire challenge is led by Ann Peters of the host club, whose daughter Alex has played for England girls' team.

Ann shares 24th place on 82, two ahead of Shropshire county captain Ros Moor (Bridgnorth) and three ahead of Shropshire senior champion Sue Pidgeon (Wrekin).

After today's second round the top 36 players and ties will qualify for the final 18 holes tomorrow. Selected scores:

74 Caron Harrison (Sherwood Forest), Amanda Mayne (Saltford)

76 Janet Melville (Sherwood Forest), Sue Dye (Delamere Forest), Barbara Woodham (Cobtree Manor Park), Carolyn Kirk (Ganton)

77 Roz Adams (Addington Court Ladies'), Felicity Christine (Woking Ladies'), Jackie Barraclough (East Bierley), Ruth Lindley (Hartlepool).