Silsden’s Claire Smith admitted her fifth title triumph in the Bradford Ladies Championship was her toughest yet.

The 26-year-old was taken to a second play-off hole in the final at Keighley by Bingley St Ives member Helen Butterfield before a long birdie putt finally sealed victory.

Smith said: “We were both four under par for our round and I ended up having to shoot five under to beat her.

“We played some really good golf and it was a really good game.”

Smith enjoyed national success two years ago when she won the English Ladies Mid-Amateur Championship but is now a qualified physiotherapist and unable to play as often.

However, the plus one handicapper is pleased with her form, adding: “I’m still hitting it quite well and that showed in the final.”

Butterfield, who had won the stokeplay qualifying stages by eight shots on Wednesday with a round of 70, was also taken to the 20th in her semi-final before she got the better of Shipley opponent Linda Ireland.

In stark contrast, Smith had breezed through to the final by seeing off Jackie Barrraclough of East Bierley 5&4.

Meanwhile, Lisa Foster – wife of Eldwick-based caddy Billy – won the nett competition. The Bingley St Ives 15-handicapper saw off Keighley member Norma Peace 4&2 in the final.

Foster beat Shiela Lewis (Keighley) 3&2 in the semi-finals, with Peace over-coming Maureen Dore (Shipley) 5&4.