CHORLEY teenager Emily Taylor looks to be East Lancashire’s best hope of winning the English Women’s Close Amateur Championship after a determined second round at Royal Birkdale.

The 17-year-old England international is in a group of golfers on six-over-par at the halfway stage of the 72-hole competition.

Unlike the opening round, when strong winds caused havoc for the field, the competitors enjoyed more favourable conditions yesterday.

Georgia Hall of Remedy Oak continues to top the leaderboard on one-under, while current British champion and Birkdale member Kelly Tidy is just one shot behind.

Those two hold a considerable advantage over the rest of the field ahead of today’s third and final rounds, but Taylor will hope to bridge the gap.

The Royal Lytham golfer’s challenge seemed to be fading until she produced a birdie and eagle on the final two holes of the day.

Brogan Townend and Catherine Roberts, also from Pleasington, have made the cut after solid second round scores.

Mellor’s Townend carded a consistent round of 77, including birdies on the final two holes of the day and just four bogeys, to leave her nine shots off the leader.

Roberts is two shots behind Townend after shooting 79, which included three birdies on the back nine.

Helen Searle also made the cut, but a costly second round 87 sent her down the leaderboard after jointly leading the competition at one stage on Tuesday.

However, there was disappointment for Pleasington duo Hollie Vizard and Nikki Foster after they both missed the cut following 36 holes.

Foster’s 86 left her six shots adrift of the cut, following her first round 85, while Vizard posted 90.