GARY Phillipson is on course for a sensational double after seeing off defending champion Jason Ashton in the semi finals of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Harold Ryden Trophy, writes ANDY NEILD.

The Darwen golfer is in top form going into tonight's final at Pleasington where he will meet current ELGA captain Tony Holt of Wilpshire.

Holt confirmed his third final appearance finishing two up against dark horse Daniel Nutter of Nelson.

Last week Phillipson retained his ELGA Scratch Medal after firing an impressive 69 at Blackburn.

And if he can emerge victorious tonight in his first ever final of ELGA's showpiece event it will seal an impressive double.

The 30-year-old was steady without being spectacular to chalk up a 3 and 2 victory over Ashton last night.

He was three up after nine holes but Ashton birdied the 11th and 12th to pull it back to one up.

But Phillipson kept his nerve to shoot par fours at the 14th and 15th to restore his three hole advantage.

And when Ashton three-putted the 16th the Darwen golfer wrapped things up to seal his 3 and 2 victory. "I started off a bit shakily but then managed to settle down," said Phillipson. "Jason's a great player but he was a bit erratic in places last night although he fought back well on the 11th and 12th.

"Tony knocked me out in the quarter finals of the competition at Rossendale last year so I am not taking anything for granted."

In the other semi final, Holt went ahead early on and never relinquished his lead.

He was 2 up after 16 holes but a poor tee shot on the 17th allowed Nutter to peg the advantage back to one hole with the 18th to play.

But 39-year-old Holt used all his experience to birdie the last and finish two up on three-over-par.

"Daniel played very well and it didn't seem like anything upset him," said Holt.

"Being the ELGA captain adds a little bit of extra pressure. But hopefully I can go one better after finishing runner up in 1990 and 1991."

Tonight's final tees off at 5.30pm and will be followed by the presentation in the Pleasington clubhouse.

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