GOLF: Kim Andrew and Claire Blackshaw defied strong winds to force their way into the leading pack in the first round of the English Women's Amateur Championships.

Scores soared into the 80s and 90s at Ganton yesterday as the bleak north easterly swept in from Scarborough and only three players broke 80 with five-over-par 79s.

Blackshaw, from Blackburn, and Andrew, who plays at Clitheroe, kept themselves in the hunt with opening rounds of 84. But they trail early leaders Kirsty Fisher (Royal Lytham), Debbie Wilmott (Tracy Park) and Kerry Knowles (Worplesdon) by five strokes.

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