James Mason, a leading amateur who is hoping to turn professional at the end of the season, was in blistering form to lift the Hawksworth Trophy for the second time.

Mason, who now plays out of Rotherham and won in 2001, broke two records as he left the quality field at the Bradford course stunned.

The 22-year-old broke the course record with his first-round 65 and then went on to break the aggregate record for the competition with a second-round 68. His nearest challenger - Tim Brind from Abbeydale -- was seven shots behind.

The Bradford course record of 66 was held jointly by Jamie Dowswell (1993) and Richard Wheatley (2001).

Mason said: "I played very well for the 65 - I didn't miss a fairway. I didn't seem to do anything badly all the way round.

"The hardest round to play is the one after the very good one so I was pleased with the 68 as well.

"It was red-hot and sunny - a really nice day. I actually thought I was a bad-weather player but I have won tournaments in all kinds of weather and I am very fit.

"It is an advantage because the conditions don't bother me - but they do bother other people."

And Mason was pleased to win against such a quality field. "There were six or seven out of the full county team. I am having a year basically to see how good I can get - trying to get into the England team by the end of the season with a view

to then turning professional."

Mason is now playing in the Lytham Trophy - a tournament where the cut-off point is +2. The only local player involved is Northcliffe's Andy Town.

Mason then moves on to the Brabazon at the West Lancashire course. Involved in that competition are Baildon's Simon Bell and Northcliffe's Gareth Evans.

This year's Hawksworth Trophy was not a triumph for local golfers. Last year's winner, Northcliffe's Gareth Evans, carded an excellent 67 for the first round but fell away in the afternoon with a 76.

West Bradford's Paul Thomas was sixth with two rounds of 71 and Cleckheaton's Lee Shepherd was seventh with rounds of 70 and 72.

Hawksworth Trophy result (first 11): 133 - James Mason (Rotherham) 65 & 68; 140 - Tim Brind (Abbeydale) 69 & 71; 141 - Duncan McCarthy (Moortown) 74 & 67, Neil Walker (Rotherham) 69 & 72; 142 - Andy King (Garforth) 73 & 69, Paul Thomas (West Bradford) 71 & 71, Steve Uzzell (Ganstead Park) 70 & 72, Lee Shepherd (Cleckheaton) 70 & 72; 143 - Sam Haywood (Rotherham) 75 & 68, Richard Hollins (Sand Moor) 71 & 72, Gareth Evans (Northcliffe) 67 & 76.