NICK UTTLEY and Anthony Harwood will meet in the final of the Harold Ryden Trophy tonight.

Nelson golfer Uttley beat Blackburn's Chris Smith in last night's semi-final by three holes with two to play.

Harwood, on his home course, beat fellow Blackburn golfer James Pierce, who is just 17, two and one.

Uttley, a former Lancashire player, qualified first after Saturday's 36-hole qualifiers with scores of 67 and 71.

He beat Rossendale's Lancashire player Ashley Siddle in the quarter-finals on Monday before beating Smith last night.

He said: "It was a good result last night. I played pretty well apart from the first three holes!

"I was two down after three. I three-putted the first, halved the second and three putted again on the third.

"But I birdied two of the next four to get back on level terms and once I was ahead I felt confident.

"Well played to Chris though. He was on his home course and he had never really experienced competition like that before.

"I am looking forward to tonight, it will be a good match."

Uttley, 35, knows that Harwood, 19, may have the edge as he is playing on his home course. It is no coincidence that three of the eight quarter-finalists were Blackburn players.

"It can be a little bit easier on your home course because you know where to hit it - there are a few blind shots at Blackburn.

"It is not as bad as at Burnley though where it is usually eight Burnley players who get into the quarter finals!

"But it would be great to win it because it is something I have never won before.

"It would be good for Nelson too as it is our centenary year.

"I have never played against Anthony but I have met him a few times at various competitions. I am looking forward to it."

Harwood qualified sixth on Saturday and beat former winner Tony Holt in the quarter finals.

He has gone one better than last year, when he was beaten by Craig Fort in the semi-finals at Wilpshire.