revved up for title tilt

PLEASINGTON player Michael Hunt increased his lead in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit after finishing runner-up in the Revidge Cannon at Blackburn.

But it was Nelson's Craig Fort who called the shots with rounds of 67 and 70 to earn him a one stroke victory on Saturday.

Hunt leads with 345 points, 220 ahead of Will Fox, who is 10 in fornt of holder Mike Kanski.

But Kanski boosted his chances of holding on to his crown when won the Royton Sword with a brace of 68s on Sunday.

The Hesketh player only pipped his Lancashire team-mate Garry Lacy, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, on a lower second round score after the pair had tied on four under par.

Kanski reeled off five birdies in each round at Crompton and Royton where 2002 merit winner Roger Smithies, of Manchester, finished third two shots off the pace.

REVIDGE DETAILS: 137 Craig Fort (Nelson) 67,70; 138 Michael Hunt (Pleasington) 70,68; 141 Garry Boardman (Castle Hawk) 71,70, Alan Squires (Oldham) 70,71; 142 Ashley Siddle (Rossendale) 69,73; 144 Nick Uttley (Nelson) 73,71; 145 Mark Ashworth (Clitheroe) 77,68; 147 M Brooks (Blackburn) 77,70; Frederick Willis (Bootle) 74,73, Paul Biggins (Accrington) 74,73, D Thornton (Bury) 73,74, Wayne Dobson (Leyland) 72,75.

ROYTON DETAILS: 136 Mike Kanski (Hesketh) 68,68, Garry Lacy (Ashton-in-Makerfield) 67,69; 138 Roger Smithies (Manchester) 71,68, Adam Stott (Reddish Vale) 67,71; 141 Gareth Clark (Manchester) 73,68, Kris Sutcliffe (Crompton & Royton) 71,70; 142 Liam Kindon (Manchester) 75,67; 144 Mike Shaw (Crompton & Royton) 72,72, Mike Kelly (Aston-under-Lyne) 72,72, Andy Clarke (Crompton & Royton) 68,76, Fraser Sidebottom (Ashton-under-Lyne) 69,75, Daniel Taylor (Manchester) 67,77.