Yorkshire’s James Walker in hunt at halfway stage of The Berkshire

David Langley, of Castle Royle, is out in front on eight under par having followed an impressive opening 69 by dipping three shots lower for a 135 aggregate over The Berkshire’s Red and Blue courses.

Walker, who averaged a birdie every four holes over his two rounds, is fourth, two shots ahead of Howley Hall’s Ben Hutchinson (69 71), who is in seventh place. Highlight of his day was an eagle 3 at the 13th hole of his opening circuit.

Ben Brewster (Bawtry) opened with a 68, when he too annexed an eagle 3, at his third hole, but is only two under overall after backing up with a second-round 74 which included four successive bogeys from the fifth.

Rotherham’s Jamie Harrison (71 76), Shipley’s Daniel Rowley (78 74) and Fulford’s Craig Smith (77 77) did not make it through to today’s final two rounds over the Red course.

The prestigious event has some illustrious past winners including Sir Nick Faldo (1975) and Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs’ President elect, Jonathan Plaxton (1984).