JOHN Grimshaw emerged as clear favourite for the Harold Ryden East Lancs GA Championship with a clinical four and three hammering of Andy Samuels in last night's opening quarter-final at Darwen.

The 1994 champion utilised a wealth of local knowledge at his home club to defeat the champion of 1993.

The quality of the match was such that after nine holes Samuels, from Burnley, was three under par..and still found himself two holes down.

Grimshaw had five birdies on the opening nine and finished off the match on the 15th.

Mike Bardi of Mytton Fold, who equalled the course record during Saturday's qualifying, also recorded an emphatic victory, beating Blackburn's Tony Flanagan by four and three.

Clitheroe's Mike Bailey produced some excellent work on and around the greens to defeat Gary Phillipson of Darwen two and one.

Lancashire player Tony Jackson will complete tonight's semi-final line-up after beating Rossendale's Gary Morton three and one.

This evening's semi-finals: Grimshaw v Jackson (5.30pm), Bailey v Bardi (5.45pm).

Tomorrow's final will tee off at 5.30pm.

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