Mills holds on for victory in Wales

Former Welsh amateur star Cennydd Mills has achieved his biggest win since becoming a PGA Assistant.

The Pyle and Kenfig man retained his second round lead to win the South Wales Festival, but it was close and he was pressed all the way by first round leader Toby Hunt (St Mellons) and home professional Martin Stimson over the final 18 holes at Ashburnham.

He shot a level-par 72 while his closest rivals closed quickly with the day’s best rounds of 70 to end just one shot short.

The former Challenge Tour player was scarcely a contender when he started with 75 over his new home course, but he hauled himself up the leaderboard with a best-of-the-week six-under-par 66 at Machnynys Peninsular in the second round.

Sion Bebb (Vale Hotel) and Giuseppe Licata (Bristol Golf Centre) made final day progress with returns of 72. Bebb claimed fourth while Licata was a shot behind alongside Richard Dinsdale (Parc Golf Academy) who slipped back with a final 75 and Alistair Tresidder (Sherborne) who shot 74.

Yet Mills struggled early on over the toughest of the three courses being used. Three bogeys in the opening four holes hardly suggested he would retain his advantage. But three birdies by the halfway stage restored the round and he returned in level par.

Hunt was a model of consistency with three birdies and one bogey at the seventh as he celebrated his first round in the region by winning £675.

Mills took home £1,250 as he completed a double by steering home the winning team on 243.

Stimson’s trio was three shots behind in second beating Bebb’s group on countback.