HOURS of practice on the driving range and putting green finally paid off for Bury schoolgirl Maddie Raine after she held her nerve to win the county junior title.

A nailbiting final of the Lancashire Ladies County Golf Association Championships at Swinton Hall Golf Club came down to a sudden-death play-off.

And Woodhey High School pupil Maddie holed a monster 40-foot putt to see off the spirited challenge of Lancashire team-mate Lauren Green on the first extra hole.

The two girls had finished level on nine over par after 36 holes in the gross strokeplay competition – the first tied final since 1974.

Lauren, who has a two handicap, compared to Maddie's seven, looked odds on to win the title after landing her third shot to the par five within two feet of the hole.

Maddie found a green-side bunker in two and came up well short out of the sand.

"I knew I had to try to sink my putt as Lauren is such a great player," said the 15-year-old, of North Manor.

"I lined it up as best I could, then once the ball started rolling I knew it had a chance.

"When the putt went in I felt really pleased with myself and knew I had given myself a chance of winning, but after Lauren missed her putt I couldn't believe it.

"All the practice I have done this year has finally paid off. I still cannot believe it now."

Maddie admitted to feeling nervous on the tee, but overcame that to be crowned Lancashire junior champion.

"I did feel nervous when I started the play-off hole because there was a lot of spectators – all the other players and visitors stayed behind to watch us," said Maddie.

"But once I began playing I felt more focused and was just determined to try my best."

The Year 10 pupil started playing golf when she was eight and has since gone on to represent Lancashire Girls before this year being picked as part of the England North West squad, coached by Steve Astle.

She put that experience to good use to finish the first 18 holes three-over, and missed a putt on the final hole of the second round that, while she did not know it at the time, would have given her outright victory.

But Maddie made amends for that with a birdie four on the first play-off hole to finally seal the title in style.