Seaham's Grant Dixon marches through to Durham County Match Play semi-finals

Dixon came through four rounds to clinch a semi-final clash with Bradley Hildreth of Billingham back at Seaton Carew this coming Saturday.

Dixon opened up with a hard-fought one-hole success against Durham City’s Andrew Bell in the first round on Saturday morning, maintaining his fine form to edge out Ravensworth’s Jordan Bettis 3&1 in the afternoon.

The third round was played yesterday morning, and Dixon made it three wins in a row, defeating Boldon’s James Gerencser 2&1 in another close-fought clash. In the afternoon, Houghton’s Jeff Willey provided the opposition and pushed Dixon all the way before being pipped 2&1.

Semi-final opponent Hildreth knocked out Castle Eden’s Stuart Brown by one hole in his quarter-final.

The other last-four clash will see Boldon’s Rhys Thompson, the defending champion, up against James Wilson (Tyneside).

Thompson had to scrap for his victory over Wynyard’s Ben Bailey in the quarter-finals, only triumphing at the second extra hole.

Earlier, Thompson saw off South Shields’ Martin McCririck 3&2 in the third round, and fought brilliantly to edge out clubmate Gavin Nesbit by two holes in round two.

He had opened the competition in style, outgunning S. Huntington of Castle Eden 8&7.