BURY’S Cieran Doherty is the man setting the pace at Seaton Carew after making the most of the favourable conditions on the first day of the Brabazon Trophy.

Doherty, one of the three players to go out in the 12th group, even managed to bogey the tenth and the 17th on his way to an impressive 68 five-under on the North Sea coast.

The Bury Golf Club amateur made birdie at one, two, four, nine, 11, 12 and on the last to earn the clubhouse lead.

Doherty sits a shot clear of Brocket Hall’s Tomasz Anderson, Workington’s Seb Crookall-Nixon and Ipswich’s Jack Cardy.

A group of five players, including England international Ashley Chesters, posted 70s . There are still a number of golfers still out on the course, although Whickham’s James Simpson is preparing for Thursday’s second round from a level par starting point after a steady round.

Boldon’s Gavin Nesbit has work to do to make the cut after shooting one-over 74, which included a frustrating bogey at the 17th. Bedale’s Dan Brown is one over after nine holes.

All golfers are aiming to make the cut on Thursday in the hope of lifting the Brabazon Trophy on Saturday.