PLEASINGTON’S Jonathan Hurst remains in second place in the Cleveland Srixon Northern Order of Merit after a strong performance in the Southport & Ainsdale Bowl.

Hurst shot 73 and 74 over the two rounds to finish on three over on a day when only four competitiors beat par.

Royal Lytham & St Annes’ Henry Tomlinson claimed victory with rounds of 72 and 70 to collect his first points of the season.

Wrexham’s Gareth Evans was second with merit leader Sean Towndrow third and James McCormick fourth.

Hurst followed in fifth spot after an encouraging performance and he trails overall leader Towndrow by 50 points.

Clitheroe’s Andrew Heesom was also in action and shot an impressive one under par 71 for his second round.

But a first round 78 meant he ended the day in 11th place.

Towndrow claimed the Lancashire Links Trophy for the best aggregate score over two days.

SCORES (Par 72): 142 Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham & St Annes) 72 70; 143 Gareth Evans (Wrexham) 72 71, Sean Towndrow (S&A) 71 72, James McCormick (Styal) 71 72; 147 Jonathan Hurst (Pleasington) 73 74, Darragh Coghlan (Portmarnock) 72 75; 148 Ciaran Doherty (Bury) 77 71, Marcus Mohr (Bromborough) 74 74, John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot) 73 75; Joe Brice (Manchester) 73 75; 149 Andrew Heesom (Clitheroe) 78 71, Richie Blundell (Hillside) 76 73.

MERIT LEADERS: 325 Sean Towndrow (S&A); 275 Jonathan Hurst (Pleasington); 250pts Paul Howard (S&A); 200 Paul Kinnear (Formby); 190 Richie Blundell (Hillside); 150 Henry Tomlinson (Royal Lytham); 145 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 120 Paul McFerran (Childwall); 105 Mark Duncalf (Formby); 100 Adam Delves (Old Padeswood), James McCormick (Styal), Gareth Evans (Wrexham).