FARRINGTON Park’s England Amateur International Josh Hilleard won his first G&S PGA Medal at Saltford with a superb four under par 65.

On a day when only two of the 32 strong field bettered par he led home experienced European Tour player David Dixon by two for his maiden victory.

The course at Saltford has recovered remarkably well from the recent bad weather and their winter layout played every inch of its yardage for the first medal of February.

The talented left hander Hilleard dropped an early shot at the 2nd but immediately regained it at the 3rd.

Only a birdie at the 8th broke his par run as he reached the turn one under.

A birdie two at the 10th doubled that figure but he dropped another stroke at the 13th before a trio of birdies from the 14th took him clear of his playing partner Dixon and the rest of the field to top spot.

Dixon, who was very impressed with his young Hilleard’s game, was recovering from a bout of ‘manflu’ but still produced another sub par score.

He warmed up for his next venture out on to the European Tour next week in South Africa by carding five birdies and three bogies for runners up spot.

Third place went to another Amateur in the shape of Somerset County Player Johnny Grace with his level par round of 69.

Sharing fourth were a trio of players on 72 made up of G&S PGA Chairman Andrew March, Cirencester’s Ed Goodwin and reigning Total Triumph Order of Merit Champion Giuseppe Licata.

For March it was his best result for some time helped no less by holing out from off the green three times in five holes for birdies on the front nine. 

Licata’s points haul took him up to second and he is now leader Ross Langdon’s nearest challenger as the season enters its final third.

Goodwin also moved into the top three as both Dan Toogood and Ashley Mansell missed the event.

The Cirencester Pro added to his winnings by taking home the Over 40’s sweep and sharing the Birdie pot with Dixon.

Next week the Pro’s travel to Thornbury for the next Medal in the Winter Series.