GARETH Hastie was the leading qualifier of the Bolton Golf Association Championship when he pipped last year's beaten finalist John Scholes on a card play-off writes David Magilton

The talented Hastie, who has never won the title, was a model of consistency over the Harwood course, which was hosting the event for the first time. The Dunscar player recorded 69 and 68 for a 137 total.

Scholes, of Old Links, opened with a scintillating 67 in the first round, which included an incredible six successive birdies and followed it up with a 70 for the same total.

They were three shots clear of Harwood's Paul Smethurst 71-69-140 and former champion Andy Runciman, of Bolton, 70-70-140.

Bolton's Rob Taylor also qualified with 73-68-141 and Deane's David Monks 69-72-141.

Five players all tied with 142 and had to play-off on Sunday. They were former champions Tim Philbin (Hindley Hall) and Billy Bromilow (Chorley), plus Nev Jameson of Regent Park, Karl Bowker of Horwich and former finalist Mike Lay of Bolton.

Bowker with 66 and Jameson 67 made it through to Monday's teatime quarter-finals.

Defending champion Steve Bryan from Old Links had warned that a lack of golf might be his undoing and that proved the case. He returned 75 for the first round and walked off the course after nine holes of the second round.

The draw is: Hastie against Jameson, Runciman and Taylor, Scholes meets Bowker and Smethurst is paired with Monks.