JULIAN TAYLOR got the defence of his Yorkshire Amateur Championship title off to a flying start at Fulford Golf Club.

The York GC player, who took the crown 12 months ago at Alwoodley, posted an opening 70 to surge to the top of the leaderboard following a rain-soaked opening day of the prestigious championship.

His two-under-par total was matched by Meltham's Jamie Bower and Moortown's Ben Firth and was one shot better than Alwoodley's Tom Irwin, Bridlington's Nicholas Raybould and Bondhay's Daniel Wasteney.

Taylor said: "I am happy, it's a decent start. I didn't putt as well as I could have done but I hit the ball really well. It was wet all day and it didn't stop. It wasn't overly heavy but was steady and wasn't nice to play in at all.

"The course was still pretty firm when I was out there and you could hit the driver pretty far but as the day went it got longer and longer."

Eight-time York Amateur Champion Martin Brown remains in the hunt to make the cut, consisting of top 40 and ties, after a four-over-par 76.

"We had wind, rain, everything," the Pike Hills GC player said when asked about the conditions. "I had to grind it out. I missed a few early putts - three or four footers that lipped out - and I was three over going over the bridge.

"You have to grind out sometimes and come back tomorrow and see what you can do."

Of the home club contingent, Will Pepper shot a level par 72, while Oliver Smith and Rob Moore were close behind with 73 and 74 respectively.

York Junior champion James Cass, meanwhile, recorded a three over 75, while club champion Damon Coulson remained in contention with 77. George Forder shot 76 to keep up with the pace.

A delighted Pepper said: "I am chuffed to bits with that. I had it going round the loop and then had a little bit of a wobble but I eagled the last. It's a great start and we will come back again and see what happens."

Coulson added: "Going out wasn't too bad, even though it was wet. Once you got to 11, though, it became a bit of a slog. I am a bit frustrated. I left a good four shots out there but I am still in it."

Moore, meanwhile, was hoping for a similar score on day two: "It was steady away with no dramas," he said. "I had four bogeys and two birdies and, hopefully, it will be the same again tomorrow."

Pleased with his scrambling in the difficult conditions, Forder said: "I didn't play that well but I scrambled well. It was about getting it up and down."

Gary Pearce, Fulford general manager, said: "The weather was a real shame because it was such a good day for the practice round on Tuesday. The rain was constant all day but there were sill some players who managed to score well.

"The course has held up really well. It always drains well, we are lucky in that respect, but it was a good effort from the greens team to make sure play could remain continuous throughout the day.We are expecting a good day tomorrow and on Thursday as well so, hopefully, the worst of it is over now."

Pearce added: "This event has been a long time in the planning. We have known ab out it for more than a year so we have had some time to prepare.

"We have put some new blue tees in and the feedback from guys who have come in has been very positive."