GOLF: On-Wards upwards!

The 20-year-old from Pleasington appeared to be cruising into the semi-finals after opening up a two-hole gap over Stonyhurst Park's Mark Young.

But in a stirring fightback, Young managed to claw himself back level on the 18th green.

And it took all Ward's nerve and composure to finally win the match on the first extra hole.

"It was a tight game and I was just delighted to win in the end," said Ward.

"I was never down at any stage but then he fought back over the last couple of holes.

"But I just managed to keep my cool on the extra hole."

Ward has had to ask for time off from his job with JJB Sports in Bolton in order to compete in ELGA's showpiece competition.

And he will now have to finish early again tonight as he prepares for a semi-final clash with Nelson stalwart Ian Short -- victor over club-mate Martin Spiers last night. "They probably don't want me to keep getting through at work because it messes up the rota," quipped Ward. "But it's going to be a tough game against Ian. I know a bit about him and he's a really steady golfer around his own course.

"I quite like playing Nelson as well, though, because it's a course that seems to suit my game."

The other semi-final will pitch together two of the hottest young talents in East Lancashire as Nelson's John Cockroft prepares to meet Burnley's Ben Scott.

Cockroft again looked impressive as he comfortably dispatched club-mate Andy Sumner 5 and 3.

And 17-year-old Scott booked his first ever semi-final appearance after beating Nelson's Craig Fort on a third extra hole.

"I putted well, hit a lot of the greens and just managed to play fairly solidly, really," said Scott, who is currently studying at St Theodore's.

"It's going to be another tough game tonight because John is obviously the favourite.

"But I'll try and stick to a similar game plan and see what happens."

Tonight's matches tee-off at 5.30pm.