GREAT expectations on the young shoulders of Gareth Hastie proved too much as his hopes of the BGA Championship were swept away at a rain soaked Dunscar last night.

On his home course Hastie, beaten in last year's final, was favourite to go one better this time around. But he could not have legislated for the outstanding display from Hindley Hall's Tim Philbin who clinched his second title in three years.

Philbin was in devastating form winning by 5 and 4 and didn't even allow Hastie the small consolation of winning a hole.

"I played reasonably tight and when it went astray it was on the side away from the danger," said 28-year-old Philbin, who was runner-up back in 1990.

"I could have nicked a couple more holes and it was only the fifth which I didn't play very well. When I won two years ago I went six up with eight to play and that helped me when I went clear in this final. I kept playing my own game.

"I have not been putting well recently and I bought a new putter but on the morning of the qualifying round I took out old faithful and that did the trick."

Hastie, a Lancs 'B' player and only 18, appeared overawed by the expectation of playing a final on his home course.

He said: "I was very nervous. People kept saying I could do it because it was at Dunscar but I felt the pressure. Tim played very well and didn't give me many chances."

Hastie made a disastrous start three putting on the first hole and found himself two down after three holes when Philbin landed a superb long putt.

The Dunscar player landed an eight foot putt at the next to square the hole but lost the par three sixth when he took four shots.

The tall Philbin produced a great third shot to save the seventh before going four up at the 10th when a superb sand shot landed next to the hole, while Hastie missed a five foot putt.

When Hastie's putt at the 12th clipped the cup of the hole and stayed out it was clearly not going to be his day. Philbin produced another fine chip which clipped the hole at the 13th and when his opponent missed his putt he was lying dormie five.

There was no way back for Hastie as Philbin produced another rock-solid display to close him out on the 14th.

Other results: Harry Potter Trophy (36 holes gross winner) Gavin Hamer (OL) 70-69-139. 36 holes nett winner Andrew Taylor (Dun) 136. Best lst rd gross Paul Borek (Dun) 69. Best 2nd rd gross Andrew Norris (HH) 69. Best 1st rd nett Tony Maycroft (Dun) 67. Best 2nd rd nett Clive Hastie (Dun) 66. George Bell Team Trophy (best scratch aggregate of four players from one club) Dunscar 576. Borek 142, Moore 144, G Hastie 145, Wiggins 145.

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