Low Laithes GC's Richard Law is leading light for Yorkshire in chase for EuroPro Tour cards

He shot three-under-par 69 on the Blue Course at Frilford Heath, in Oxfordshire, to stand one shot behind leader Billy Downing, of Truro GC.

After dropping a shot at the fourth, Law birdied three of the next four holes. A further bogey at 11 was offset with interest by birdies at holes 15 and 18.

Moortown GC's Nick McCarthy is tied for fifth on 70 as is Joe Coyle (Burstwick Country Golf).

McCarthy was out in three under with birdies at the first, fifth and sixth, but came home in one over after a bogey at the 14th.

Coyle started his round at the 10th, which he birdied only to give the shot straight back at the next.

Another bogey at 13 was to be his last of the day, birdies at 15, 17 and three putting him two under.

Former Yorkshire champion Julian Taylor (York GC) was the only other Yorkshire participant to break par.

After a birdie at the fourth was followed by a bogey at the fifth, he birdied the eighth to reach the turn one under.

He remained that way with a bogey at 13 and a birdie at 15.

The competitors will play one round on both the Red and Blue Courses before a cut on Thursday to the leading 80 players and ties, who will play a concluding 18 holes on the Blue Course on Friday.

All those progressing to Final Stage have earned at least a category 14 card, with golfers making the Final Stage cut earning a minimum category 10 and the top 30 earning category 3.

Other Yorkshire competitors are Tom Perry (Abbeydale GC), 73; Luke Jackson (Lindrick GC), Ben Smith (Lindrick (GC) and Alex Belt (Snainton Golf Centre), all 74; Nick Marsh (Huddersfield GC), 75; David Woodhead (Hessle GC) and Aron Schnacke (Huddersfield GC), 77; Joe Dean (Hillsborough GC), 78; Nial Murphy (Oulton Hall GC), 79; Isaac Simpson (Hallowes GC), Paul Lockwood (Hessle GC) and Adam Walker (Huddersfield GC), all 80.

Those on 75 are in a tie for 88th place after round one.