MARK Bradley was singing in the rain at Windermere after defying appalling

final-day conditions to win the Rayrigg Motors Lakes Autumn Classic, writes David Birtill.

It was the 26-year-old Ingol professional's first victory in the PGA North

Region and he achieved it in style by upstaging a big field which included

several past and present European Tour players.

After the glorious sunshine which blessed the first round, in which he

carded a two-under-par 65, the odds were stacked against Bradley before he

even teed off the next day - in weather that would have even sent ducks

paddling for shelter he did not have any waterproofs!

He'd left them in the boot of the car owned by Simon Fletcher, his old

boss at Heysham, and even his girlfriend Claire Proctor quit caddying for

him after nine holes because she was so drenched.

"All I had was a brolly and a lot of determination," said Bradley who took

over at Ingol, a club north of Preston, seven months ago.

His seven-birdie second round 62, for a seven-under-par total, was

described as amazing by his fellow professionals as he won by a shot from

Adrian Ambler, from Walton Golf Centre in Leeds who also handed in 62 when

conditions were slightly easier.

Best of the local lads was Kendal's Peter Scott, who was in a nine-way tie

for 13th place some five shots off the pace.

OTHERS SCORES

Stephen Field (Silkstone) 65,65

Gordon Brand (Baildon) 64,68

Derrick Cooper (Birchwood) 69,64

Phil Archer (Birchwood) 66,68

Stephen Rooke (Windermere) 72,72

Andrew Pickering (Kirby Londsdale) 68,70

Steve Tunnicliffe (Windermere) 73,77