Third time unlucky was the Yorkshire setback suffered by Malton and Norton Golf Club star Emma Duggleby.

The 27-year-old English strokeplay champion was beaten 4 and 3 in the final of the Yorkshire Ladies championship at Alwoodley by reigning title-holder Rebecca Hudson.While it was Hudson's third successive title it was the third time Duggleby had endured defeat in the battle to be crowned Yorkshire's top player.

The Malton and Norton ace lost to Hudson last year and was beaten in her other final appearance five years ago by Nicki Buxton.

Duggleby's third blow hinged on two defining moments at the ninth and tenth holes. After bravely battling back to all-square Duggleby then had to watch as the champion holed a putt from 40 feet for a birdie.

On the very next hole Duggleby went further behind after her approach shot hit a tree and veered into woods. That wrested the match from her grip, though her desire to win the Yorkshire crown burns even more fierce.

Said Duggleby's mother Pat, who caddied for her daughter: "Emma was fighting all the way, but it was the ninth and tenth where the match turned around. On the tenth she had a fine line to the green, but her ball hit literally a twig, not even a branch.

Both Duggleby and Hudson will next week fly out to the St Germain district of Paris as part of the England squad training for the European team championships to be held there in July.

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