DUNCAN STEWART SLIPS IN SAUDIA ARABIA

Duncan Stewart slipped out of a share of the lead over the second round of this week's MENA Tour event in Saudia Arabia, the Dirab Championship at Dirab Golf and Country Club. The Grantown-on-Spey man  had to settle for a 74 - six shots worse than his opening effort - for a 36-hole total of 142 with one round to go. Gavin Dear (Murrayshall), as he did last week, moved up to be leading Scot with a 68 for 141. He will be hoping to avoid his last-round slump of seven days ago. Tom Buchanan had a 73 for 147 and Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall) a 73 for 148 - both beating the cut at 153 with shots to spare. Leading the field into the final round at two Englishman, Daniel Owen (71-68) and Wlliam Harrold (68-71) on five-under 139 SECOND-ROUND LEADERS Par 144 (2x72) 139 D Owen (Eng) 71 68, W Harrold (Eng) 68 71 140 I Keenan (Eng) 71 69, A El Malki (Mor) (am) 69 71 SELECTED SCORES 141 G Dear (Sco) 75 68 142 D Stewart (Sco) 68 74, Z Scotland (Eng) 69 73, S Masih (Pak) 68 74, C Smith (Wal) 73  69, F Quicker (Swe) 73 69. 143 Y Ali (Eng) 71 72, D Wardrop (Eng) 75 68 144 B Lee (Wal) 72 72, P Walker (Eng) 73 71 145 C Mills (Wal) 73 72, J Westwood (Eng) 73 72, D Marmion (Eng) 71 74 147 T Buchanan (Sco) 74 73 148 G Nicolson (Sco) 75 73, H Housby Eng) 72 76.