TONY Jackson ran into a Gary Wolstenholme playing at his very best and fell at the first hurdle of the English Amateur Championship at Notts Golf Club.

The Blackburn player could only watch in amazement as former British Amateur champion Wolstenholme finished out the match on the 13th, winning 6 and 5.

Wolstenholme recorded five birdies and an eagle two at the 410-yard eighth where he holed an eight-iron.

Jackson was just blown away by the quality of Wolstenholme's golf.

"I commentated for the BBC on the Open last week and I think it rubbed off," said Wolstenholme.

"Watching so many great players at close quarters just leaves you in awe and lifts your game.

"It certainly helped mine."

The 35-year-old is now in the last 32 and Jackson maintains that he will take some beating.

"He played tremendous golf and I didn't," he said.

"It was an awesome display.

"He has plenty of experience and I think it will take a mammoth effort for somebody to beat him here this week."

Work commitments prevented Clitheroe's Paul Dwyer from taking his place in the field.

The 23-year-old had been hoping for a good championship but first round opponent R J Finch went through by walkover.

Lancashire increased their chances of retaining the Northern Counties Championship with an excellent victory against Cheshire at Pleasington.

Paul Dwyer scored two crucial victories, while Tony Jackson and Nick Uttley's contributions were also instrumental in Lancashire's 12-6 win.

They are now poised just two points behind Yorkshire, but with a match in hand.

Victory over Cumbria at Penrith on August 10 would set up a deciding showdown with Yorkshire at Ganton three weeks later.

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