Golf: Ben Mallinson is determined to make a success of his first season as a professional, and came close to scoring his first major win on the Isle of Man.

Last year's T&A Golfer of the Year led going into the final round of the Bradford and Bingley Manx Classic at Castletown, and was still in contention with just a few holes to play.

But then his luck ran out when he lost his ball on the ninth - he started his round at the 13th - and ran up a triple-bogey seven which proved costly as he finished four shots behind winner Neil Cheetham from Doncaster, who closed with two birdies.

It followed an impressive third place in the Higgins Vulcan Tournament at Lindrick earlier this year.

The £627 Ben picked up for a share of fifth place and extra cash for the lowest second round score - 66 - was a useful addition to his pool as he finds out what life on the Northern PGA circuit is all about.

"I am very happy with the way I am playing this year, and this was my best performance of the season on the circuit," he said.

"I was two-under after nine holes, but three over for the second nine. Even then I had a birdie chance at the last and might have finished closer.

"I certainly have no regrets about deciding to turn pro this year. The main thing now is to get well known on the North Region PGA circuit and qualify for next year.

"I may even have a go at the European qualifying school later in the year. That is the place to make the big breakthrough."

Ben is assistant to Skipton professional Peter Robinson, and acknowledges the help he has been given in time off to play in tournaments.

He also has sponsorship backing from Skipton Building Society, which enables him to get to more events.

Main event on the local calendar this weekend is Sunday's 36-hole Amateur Strokeplay Championship, hosted this year by West Bowling in their centenary year. West Bradford's Richard Ellis is the defending champion.

Sheffield improved their points margin in the Yorkshire Inter-Union League with a 26-10 win over Halifax-Huddersfield at Fixby.

It puts added pressure on Bradford ahead of their trip to Worksop on Sunday, July 5 if they are to dislodge the current champions.

Biggest surprise was the 23-13 defeat of a weakened Leeds line-up at Teesside, while basement club York were soundly beaten 28-8 at East Riding.

Yorkshire captain Cec Bloice's rallying call produced dividends as the county made a successful defence of their English Championship Northern Region qualifier at Hexham.

Cleckheaton's Bloice, who had been bitterly disappointed after a 111/2-51/2 defeat by Cheshire earlier this month, saw his team finish a record 20 strokes clear of the same team.

Now they will make their defence of the full title at Stoneham, Southampton from September 25-27.

Their team was Simon Dyson (Sand Moor), Aran Wainwright (Garforth), Ben Mason (Sand Moor), John Wells (Beverley and ER), Gareth Davies (Abbeydale) and Jonathan Lupton (Middlesbrough).

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