IT was a case of so close and yet so far as Wilpshire teenager Elizabeth Stebbings finished runner-up in the Lancashire Ladies Championships at Ormskirk.

The Langho-based teenager, who turned 17 last month, turned in a fantastic performance by leading the qualifiers at the event’s strokeplay stage.

But after reaching the matchplay final on Wednesday afternoon, the Westholme School student came unstuck when beaten 2&1 on the 17th green by Emma Harris of Peel Ladies, Isle of Man.

Stebbings’ brave effort comes a month after finishing second at the prestigious 72-hole Fairhaven Trophy.

It was the second successive year that an East Lancastrian has suffered final heartbreak, with Pleasington’s Catherine Roberts edged out 12 months ago by Bethany Garton.

In a strange twist, Garton, of Royal Lytham & St Annes, and 25-year-old Roberts were beaten semi-finalists on this occasion.

Stebbings was the winner of the event’s strokeplay competition on Monday, posting rounds of 74 and 71 to lead a 40-strong field by two shots.

Closest rival Harris was two shots behind with Pleasington’s Hollie Vizard, the opening day’s net aggregate winner, a further four shots in arrears.

In the matchplay stages, Stebbings brushed aside Laura Johnson of Bolton Old Links and Formby Ladies golfer Sophie Speariett before despatching Roberts 3&1 in the semi-final.

Sadly, the one-handicapper could not clinch final glory against Harris, 15, the current Isle of Man ladies champion and a member of the England Junior Training squad.

In warm conditions, Harris went one-up following a birdie at the third, and successive birdies at 11 and 12 gave her a strong platform for victory.

Stebbings reduced the deficit by winning the 15th hole, but the next two holes were halved to give Harris victory.

In the Flight 2 plate at Ormskirk, Nelson’s Jane McGregor was beaten 5&3 in the final by Karen Clayton of Manchester.