Wood retains Northants winter title

The Northamptonshire Winter Series was concluded in style at Cold Ashby as the on-form Simon Lilly saw off the season in style with his second win in just over a week.

The Wellingborough pro, who romped to a huge 11 shot triumph at the 36-hole county Strokeplay Championship at Kingsthorpe in late April, was on song again at Cold Ashby, his three-under-par 68 matched only by home professional Shane Rose as the pair secured a three shot cushion over the rest of the field.

Among them though was the consistent Dan Wood, who with two third place finishes at each event was able to hold of  Lilly's charge to win his second successive winter Order of Merit title by a mere 14 points.

Rodney Holt (Silverstone) took third with Mike Gallagher and Carl Sainsbury completing the top five.