ELGA were narrowly beaten 10.5-7.5 in their bi-annual match against the Rest of Lancashire at Blackburn Golf Club.

Our local scratch golfers were aiming to win the match for the first time since 2003, but were edged out by the county aces in a close contest.

Sadly for the home side, current Harold Ryden champion Mark Ash-worth was unavailable for the 12-strong team, as well as former Northern Order of Merit winner Steven McGlynn.

But the team still included Darwen’s Gary Philipson, Pleasington duo Andy Westwell and Michael Hunt, and Daniel Nutter of Clitheroe, all of whom are Harold Ryder winners.

It also included Pleasington’s Sam Stuart, whose younger brother Tom was picked in the Rest of Lancashire squad, the first time that siblings have faced each other in the event.

The match consisted of six foursomes matches in the morning, followed by 12 singles matches.

The Rest of Lancashire took an early lead after a 3.5-2.5 foursomes success.

In the singles, Sam Stuart and West-well won their matches to put ELGA back in the lead. But the middle section of the singles saw the county team take a firm grip of proceedings, and Chorley’s Tom Stuart ultimately gave them victory with a 3&2 success over Accrington’s Chris Nuttall.

n Clitheroe’s 14-year-old Sophie Lamb is celebrating her biggest ever victory after teaming up with Lancashire Veterans champion Chris Stokes to win the EWGA Northern Foursomes at Hesketh. They beat Fiona Anderson and Susan Mo 3&1.