BLACKBURN golfer Jack Brooks confirmed his England Under 16 credentials when land-ing the Lancashire Boys Championship at rain-lashed Leyland.

The Pleasington member and QEGS student opened up with a two-over-par 72 before adding a superb 70 in atrocious conditions to triumph by three shots from Bury's Ciaran Dogherty.

Brooks, 16, who is coached by Heswall professional Alan Thompson, needed a stroke of luck on the 16th in the second round where, after three times tangling with the wet rough, struck his fourth shot through the green then audaciously holed a 20-yard wedge for a par.

"That was a lucky escape," said Brooks, having birdied the two previous holes.

Chorley's Andrew Palmer was third after losing a card play-off to Dogherty, with Shaw Hill's David Hall fourth a shot further back.

For Brooks, it was his best individual achievement since winning the English Boys U14 Championship in 2003 when only 12-years-old.

During the last two years, Brooks has been a member of the England Boys U16 elite squad.

He credits his excellent early-season form down to hard work, especially after practicing with England throughout the winter, working with squad manager Tommy Flinn, who has previously helped top England golfers Justin Rose and Paul Casey, and psychologist Owen Thomas.

His last England session came at the end of April, when former Ryder Cup golfer Gordon Brand Jnr handed out tips on his short game.

Brooks is completing his GCSE exams at QEGS, before looking forward to a series of competitions this summer.

The England U16 Boys Championships at Southport & Ainsdale begins in July, along with the England U18 Championships in Saunton, Devon, before Brooks competes in the British Boys Championship at Royal Porthcawl in August.

l Pleasington's Michael Hunt rolled in a 40ft eagle putt on the last green to halve his match with ex-Scottish international Sandy Twynholm as Lancashire beat defending champions Northumberland by a point in an enthralling opening Northern Counties League encounter at Royal Birkdale.

Blackburn's Steve McGlynn ensured the Red Rose victory when he shared the spoils with Duncan Ross who drove out of bounds on the 18th.

l Chorley players enjoyed success at home and away last weekend.

First, Steve Alker won the Lancashire Collinge Trophy qualifier at Morecambe with a 64 off his five handicap as clubmate Keith Sutch took the gross prize with 73.

Joe Heald then clinched the Bolton GA President's Trophy with rounds of 67 and 65 and by four shots at the Hall 0'th' Hill course.

Andy Palmer, the club's junior captain, claimed the gross prize with 67 and 74.

And Michael Hearn carded the best gross 69 in the first round and Neil Hargreaves returned best nett 68.