MARK Young issued a "come and get me" plea to Lancashire as he extended his lead in the Mitsushiba Northern Order of Merit to 240 points thanks to a three-shot victory in the Royton Sword.

The 26-year-old Clitheroe builder, who also won the Penwortham Rose Bowl last month, said: "I've never been approached by the county but I'm hoping they'll start to take more notice of me."

Young, who plays off plus one and has won his club championship at Longridge three years in a row, had never seen the Crompton and Royton course until the first round.

He blamed his opening five-over-par 75 on hitting the wrong clubs simply because he did not know the lie of the land.

"After that I used a lot of irons off the tees," he said as he followed up a 64 containing an eagle at the eighth, where he hit a six iron to 25 feet, and five birdies.

Details: 139 Mark Young (Longridge) 75,64; 142 Gareth Clark (Manchester) 74,68, Roger Smithies (Manchester) 73,69; 144 Ben Crowther (Dewsbury) 73,71, Lee Newsome (Oldham) 72,72, Chris Rabbich (Crompton & Royton) 72,72.

Merit Leaders: 540pts Mark Young (Longridge); 300 Willie Bowe (Workington);230 Mark Rabone (S&A); 225 Steve Walmsley (Birchwood); 210 John Carroll (Huyton & Prescot); 200 Steven Hindle (Ellesmere) 190 Curtis Dean (Fleetwood); 180 Tommy Fleetwood (Formby Hall).

l Accrington Golf Club girls Nikki Foster and Heather Fleming swept the board at the Lancashire Girls Championship at the Huyton and Prescot course.

Foster, the new Lancashire Girls Champion, played over 36 holes, scoring 81 and 74 for a total of 155, one shot ahead of her nearest challenger.

Fleming won the Bronze division 18-hole Stableford competition, which was run alongside the Championship, with an impressive 39 points, helping drop her handicap to 29.