Rice in the mix at Concra Wood

Tim Rice is right in touch with the leaders at Concra WoodTim Rice is just two shots behind leader Paul Doherty entering the final round of the Kingspan Concra Wood Open on the PGA EuroPro Tour.

The Limerick man had five birdies and a double bogey at the 10th in a three under 69 to share third place on three under par with defending champion Billy Hemstock and Wiliam Harrold. Scores

Scot Doherty posted a 70 to lead by one on five under from Howley Hall’s Marcus Armitage but joint overnight leader Colm Moriarty slipped to joint 19th on one over after a 76.

Two birdies on his last three holes took Rice to three under as the cut fell at five over par in the race for the £10,000 winner’s cheque.

Rosapenna’s Ruaidhri McGee (73) and Portmarnock’s Noel Fox (72) are four off the pace in joint seventh with Old Conna’s Neil O Briain (74) tied for 13th with Mick McGeady (74) on level par.

Moriarty finished the day tied with the likes of Mark Staunton (73) on one over with Newlands’ Cian Curley (74) and Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick (74) on two over.

Amateur Simon Ward is joint 34th after rounds of 74 and 73 with Paul Cutler (75-74) the only other Irish player to make the cut.