Strickland is three clear at McGregor Trophy Sussex teenager Charlie Strickland has bounced back from injury to take a three-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the McGregor Trophy at Wallasey, Cheshire.  The 16-year-old (image © Leaderboard Photography) had to withdraw from his last major event with a back injury – but he proved his return to fitness by adding four-under 68 to his opening 69 in the English U16 boys’ open stroke play championship.  He had five birdies, and just one bogey, and commented: “I kept the ball in play, kept patient and let the birdies come on the holes where I could take advantage.”  Strickland (Ham Manor) has played in this event on three previous occasions and has never made the cut until now. His plan for tomorrow’s final 36 holes is simple: “I’ll stick to my game plan, try and focus on my game and see where it goes.”  He’s enjoying good form this season, having been third in the South Eastern junior championship, and fifth in the Peter McEvoy Trophy. He also played in this year’s U16 international against Spain, winning both his matches on the second day. His closest rival is Norfolk’s Toby Briggs (Dunston Hall) who also scored 68, adding it to his opening score of level par 72.  Briggs, another U16 international, had an eagle three on the long 14th as well as four birdies, including one on the 18th to sign off his round.  His score achieved his aim of getting well into contention in the championship. “After yesterday a lot of players were quite far ahead and I felt there was a bit of pressure that shouldn’t have been there. I had to get all those shots back today,” said the 15-year-old.  Ireland’s Thomas Mulligan currently holds third place on three-under (70 71) while Jack Ainscough (Hartlepool) is a shot behind (72 70) and Benjamin Jones (Brampton Heath) is level par (72 72).  Click here for full scores Lyndsey Hewison Press Officer England Golf pr@englandgolf.org 07825 752 193  Howie and Munro from Reay only  Scots to make last day   Only two Scots - Darren Howie (Peebles) and Euan Munro from Reay - beat the halfway cut in the English Under-16 boys' open stroke play championship for the McGregor Trophy at Wallasey Golf Club on Merseyside, writes Colin Farquharson. Howie shot 74 and 71 to be joint sixth on 145 - eight behind the leader by three, Charlie Strickland (Ham Manor). Long-distance traveller Munro had scores of 77 and 71 for 148 and a share of 20th place. The cut fell at 150 and Scots who missed out were: 153 Keith Bowman (St Andrews New) 77 76 154 Kyle Reid (Balmore) 79 75 155 Calvin Duffton (Aboyne) 78 77 157 Andrew Moir (Elgin) 76 81 159 Callum Burns (Balmore) 76 83 160 Jamie Stewart (Old Ranfurly) 81 79 161 John Patterson (St Andrews New) 80 81.