Semi-final draw
Paul Murphy (Rishton) v Paul Swann (Gn Haworth) at Baxenden
Adam Smith (Acc) v Aaron Duxbury (Acc) at Rossendale

ADAM Smith will be wondering if he'll have any mates left at the end of the Observer Golf Shield.

After seeing off good friend Ryan Ainsworth in the quarter-final he is now up against his Accrington clubmate Aaron Duxbury in the semis.

The 17-year-old may feel he has the slight advantage as he has been drawn at Rossendale for the third successive time.

"I do know the course by now," said Adam who will take over from Aaron as the club's junior captain next year. "And I want to get in the final."

"It will be strange playing Adam," said student Aaron who beat Graham Mitton in the last round. He admitted that was a big buzz for him as Graham had been something of a mentor.

"He used to coach me when I was younger so it was satisfying to win!" said the 18-year-old.

In the other semi, 23-year-old Paul Swann faces Rishton's Paul Murphy at Baxenden.

Paul Swann is keen to get to the final - as it will be played on his home territory of Green Haworth on 7 September.

"It would be great to get there, I will have plenty of support," said the elecrician, whose highest placing before this was the quarter-final stage. "I have played at Baxenden a couple of times so it should be okay. In the last round I beat Steve Bramwell at Whalley but it was a struggle for both of us - I don't think either of us had a good day!"

He faces the experienced Paul Murphy, who has made the semi-finals once before but it hoping to go one better.

"Anything it a bonus now," admitted Paul Murphy.

Paul overcame 15-year-old Chris Nuttall in the last eight but admitted he was surprised to be in the last four.

"I had given up by the 13th as Chris was three up. Then I won the 13th, 14th, and 15th and we halved the 16th and 17th and I birdied the 18th. I thought I was already out after 12 so I didn't have any nerves!"

Quarter-final results
Adam Smith (Acc) beat Ryan Ainsworth (Acc) 4 & 3; Aaron Duxbury (Acc) beat Graham Mitton (Acc); Paul Murphy (Rishton) beat Chris Nuttall (Accn) 1 up after 18th; Paul Swann (Grn Haworth) beat Steve Bramwell (Gt Harwd) 2 up

Final day fourball
9am: G Stewart/A Lindsay; P Hawkins/D Millington; 9.11: S Thompson/C Catlow; A Rothwell/K Claxon; 9.22: K Sweeney/L Bateson; J Ashbourne/C Byron; 9.33 T Cordey/V Hudson; J Fielding/D Parsons; 9.44: P Shaw/partner; AN Other/partner; 9.55 G Hargreaves/B Snape; E Brook/partner; 12.45: C Brannan/ H Robson; W Ollett/I Hardman; 12.56: D Fisher/D Nutter; N Robinson/C Edmondson; 1.07: B Meagre/W Trickett; K George/A Rigby; 1.18: RJ Foster/C Nuttall; C Dunn/B McGee; 1.29: A Brooks/P Rothwell; S Kellett/G Byrne; 1.40: P Billington/T McLauglin;B Gilbert/A Gilbert; 1.51: S Miller/H Farnworth; C Green/R Balowas

  • THE Observer Junior Open will be held at Accrington Golf Club next Thursday. For more details ring Kevin Taylor on 301456.