KEN Hudson hoisted himself into contention for the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit crown he captured in 2001 when he won the Acorn Trophy at Dean Wood thanks to a birdie on the final hole.
It helped him to a 69 which, tacked to his opening 71, added up to two under par and a one shot victory over his Lancashire team-mate Garry Lacy, of Aston-in-Makerfield.
Hudson, from Hart Common, is lying third in the merit 155 points behind long-time leader Michael Hunt who will start favourite to win the Antlers Trophy over his home course of Pleasington on Sunday.
Hunt is also looking over his shoulder at Ashton-on-Mersey's Cheshire player Kevin Kean who is in second place only 105 points adrift after finishing sixth at Dean Wood.
With seven tournaments to play, the leaders are starting to bunch up and among them is Castle Hawk and former Red Rose county star Garry Boardman who still has hopes of adding to his record number of five merit titles, achieving the last in 1999.
There will be more points up for grabs next Monday when Jamie Plews defends the Mere Trophy over his home course.
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