Richard Bland tends to shine under the Northern Lights and in Northumberland the Southampton golfer is on course to emulate his best ever finish on the European PGA Tour.

Halfway through the Great Northern Open at Slaley Hall in Northumberland, the Stoneham clubman was holding down a top 20 slot after firing a tidy second round 70 - two under par on a course which in cool, blustery conditions, was spoiling many a card, Steve Richardson's among them.

Bland had a high finish in the UK-based EuroTour early season but has had a low-key time on the Challenge Tour. But whenever he gets among the big boys on the Volvo Tour, he tends to shine.

Last year he was 11th in the Scottish PGA Championships and in Northumberland yesterday he rattled in five birdies to move to three under until a bogey at the last halted his march.

Justin Rose was in a tie for eighth place but as in the first round, his score could have been much better. The youngster from Hook moved from two under overnight to six under which left him just two behind leaders Bradley Dredge and Andrew Coltart with three holes to play.

But much to his consternation he dropped shots at the seven and eighth (his 16th and 17th holes) and finished with a halfway total of 140 - four under par.

Matt Blackey from Hayling Island had to make the cut to give himself a chance of chasing some of the £40,000 he needs to get his card for next season. But after three birdies gave him a chance of finishing inside the top 70, he bogeyed the last and at three over was sweating on staying on for the last two days.

But for former Ryder Cup man Richardson, the damage of a nine over par first round left some deep scars and he limped round for a 79, including a seven at one of the par fives, to leave the Lee-on-Solent man 16 over and in last place.

Coltart's form was ominously impressive and a boost for Botley Park professional Tim Barter whose coaching has helped bring the Scottish Ryder Cup man back to the boil.

Barton-on-Sea's Kevin Saunders needed extra-time to clinch the PGA Southern Professional Championship at Millride.

Saunders birdied the second-extra hole to see off the challenge of Surrey Golf and Fitness Centre's Mark Nicholls.

Both men finished on 15 under par in the 72-hole tournament at the Ascot venue and both birdied the first extra hole.