Niall nails first win - thanks to old clubmate

Niall Murphy had his first lesson when he was 13 - and it was another 10 years before the next one.

That came a few weeks ago from his former Howley Hall clubmate Lee Morrisoire, a PGA teaching professional at Oulton Hall.

And it proved a wise decision by the third year trainee assistant at Brighouse club Willow Valley who clocked up his maiden victory in the Sue Wright Trophy at Helsby.

"I'd not receive any coaching as a professional until I consulted Lee and he's helped me a lot," said Murphy after carding  a two-under-par 68.

He reeled off four birdies on the outward half before blotting his card with a brace of bogeys on the home stretch to win by a shot from the unattached Isaac Simpson.

Meanwhile, Owston Hall's James Freeman held on to his top spot in the Druh Belts & Buckles Assistants' Order of Merit, 18 points in front of Adam Hodgkinson, from Chorlton with Murphy lying fourth 71 further back.