KNARESBOROUGH Golf Club's Gary Vickers was just two shots off the lead after the first round of the De Vere Hotels PGA North Region Championship at Heron's Reach, Blackpool.

He had six birdies and an eagle at the 539-yard 10th in his five under par round of 67.

His assistant Andrew Turner was a shot further back while Silkstone's Stephen Field stayed in the frame with a 70.

Vickers trailed leader Freddy Valenti by two shots. Warrington-based Valenti set the pace with a course record 65, requiring only 24 putts with the most satisfying from five feet for an eagle at the last to keep one ahead of Horwich's Brian Sharrock.

Updated: 12:02 Thursday, August 09, 2001