JAMES WALKER laid down a serious challenge as the Yorkshire Amateur Championship reached the half-way mark at Fulford Golf Club.

The Oaks-based player added a stellar two-under-par 70 to a first round 74.

It’s a score that left him four off the lead held by Moortown’s Ben Firth as the cut fell for the first time since the matchplay format was scrapped.

Defending champion, Julian Taylor, who was tied for the lead after the first round, remains right in contention after adding a 73 to his first round 70 while two of the home club’s player made significant moves on day two.

James Cass and Damon Coulson both added level par 72s to their opening efforts, leaving them at three over and five-over-par respectively.

That vaulted them up the leaderboard, Cass moving to the fringes of the top ten, while George Forder remains in the hunt for a high finish after following his opening 76 with 75.

Malton & Norton’s David Hague recovered in some style from an opening 79 – recording a one-under-par 71 to easily get into day three, while Sandburn Hall’s Will Adamson will also play the 36-hole deciding day after a second round 75.

Martin Brown, eight time York amateur champion, is also safely through after a second successive 76.

Selby Golf Club’s Ellie Goodall, meanwhile, posted a one-over-par 75 as the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Strokeplay got under way today at Moortown.

The teenager recorded three birdies and four bogeys in a round which kept her in touch with the leaders.

Clubmate Megan Garland was a shot further back on two over. After bogeys on the first, third and seventh, Garland birdied the eighth and eagled the 16th on her way to a 76.

Fulford’s Charlotte Austwick was 13 over.