BLACKWELL Grange's crop of trophy-hunting golfers are looking to put their club on the national map later this month when they aim to become Junior Champion Club champions.

The problem Blackwell team selector Peter Hird has had since they booked their place in the Woodhall Spa showpiece on October 16 and 17 is reducing a five-man team down to three.

During the Darlington club's success in the Durham county event they were allowed a five man team when they became the best in the southern area.

The same number of players per side were allowed when Blackwell were faced with the challenge of overcoming both Whitburn and Whickham in a round-robin battle to become the region's best.

But, having achieved their first goal, only three players per team are required for the national finals and a couple have had to miss out.

"It wasn't just the size of each team there was also a problem with the age," said secretary Peter Burkill. "Durham rules allow players up to the age of 21, while the English Union state you have to be under 18. That means Ross Jackson can't play. It's a shame we will not have the full team but we still have a chance."

Ellie Givens, the daughter of Stressholme professional Ralph, will also not be involved because she missed the last matches with Whickham and Whitburn as she was with the English Girls squad.

Blackwell's three man team to take on the 33 other finalists at Woodhall Spa will be Scott Jolly, Adam Bates and junior captain Andrew James - the son of club captain Dr Roger James - meaning Ross Galbraith is also likely to miss out.

The triumvirate are hoping to win the trophy for the first time in the club's history and Adam Bates' father, Steve, helping the young team out, suggested there is every chance of success.

Blackwell have already cruised to the Durham Golf Society League title after recording an incredible 86 points from 12 games. And Steve Bates said: "We maybe up against all the top teams in the country but hopefully we can come back with the honours. It would be fantastic.

"We have a good team, a strong team and I don't see any reason why we can't. Adam plays off scratch then the other two boys are also at a good standard so we will be going there to win not just to make up the numbers."

* Morpeth's David Clark won the Manchester Open at Mottram Hall when he beat fellow North-Easterner Michael Nesbit by two shots.

The 26-year-oldprofessional closed with a 70 for a nine-under-par total but thought he had lost his way when he trailed Matfen Hall assistant Nesbit by two strokes after ten holes.

A birdie at the short 11th, where he struck a five iron to nine inches, renewed his challenge and when he picked up another shot at the 15th he forged two ahead of Nesbit who had lost his momentum by that stage.

But Clark also enjoyed a huge slice of luck at the difficult 17th when his three wood approach went out of bounds before deflecting back into play off a tree. He then wedged to 12 feet to secure and unlikely par and the contest was effectively over.

"That was a lucky escape," he conceded. "But for that there would probably have been a play-off."

Published: 06/10/2004