An early morning dash from Southport to Northcliffe paid off in style yesterday as Andy Dufton won the re-arranged Bradford 36-hole stroke play title.

The 30-year-old from Woodhall Hills, who had been on a golfing break with some friends, made it two wins in the last three events with a superb four under par second round 67 to finish three strokes clear of the 35-strong field.

It also confirmed Dufton as the winner of this year's Jim Wade Trophy for the lowest combined scores at this event and the Bradford Open at Shipley.

"I am absolutely delighted," said Dufton. "I am so glad they were able to get this competition played after it was rained off at Bingley St Ives.

"I know the field was not as strong as it might have been and there were some of the better players missing, but it was still a tough competition to win.

"I was pleased to keep in touch with a 72 in the morning round and thought a 68 would probably be good enough to win it. I then got a couple of birdies in the first few holes in the afternoon and thought I was well on my way.

"It all went well until the 17th when I three-putted for a bogey, which was a bit disappointing as I wanted to complete the round without dropping a shot.

"I said at the start of the year, a little bit tongue in cheek, that I wanted to win the T&A Golfer of the Year Trophy. But after this win and with the matchplay to come I must have a chance.

"I only lost once in the Scratch League, so anything that happens now will be a bonus."

There was an outstanding performance by home club player Andrew Town, who took second place on countback after a three-way tie.

The 15-year-old Nab Wood School boy went round in 72 in the morning and afternoon to give himself the ideal boost before turning out for Northcliffe's scratch team in the Yorkshire First Division team championships on Wednesday.

The Manor's Ross Jackson also shot two rounds of 72 to take third place on a worse final six holes, and Northcliffe's unbeaten Scratch League player Gareth Evans was fourth after rounds of 70 and 74.

Defending champion Mark Evans from West Bradford ended ten shots behind the winner in joint seventh place on 149.

He was one behind Richard Wheatley of Bingley St Ives who has been in good form recently. Wheatley opened with a 72 - the same as winner Dufton - but dropped away with a 76.