Alison Coffey continued top form at Royal County Down with a second round of level-par 74, and remains perfectly poised to win the 2000 Women's British amateur strokeplay championship at the second attempt.

"I entered the strokeplay six years ago at Gullane, and failed to make the cut," recalled Coffey, who carded a one-under-par 147 aggregate.

The Curtis Cup team standby from Warrenpoint shares third place with title-favourite Rebecca Hudson of Wheatley.

But the gap is widening between Coffey and Hudson, and opening-round pacesetter Chloe Court of Goodwood. Court returned a three-under-par 71, for 143.

She is three strokes clear of outright second-placed player Heather Stirling of Bridge of Allen, who had an amazing start on the back nine, picking off five birdies, and eventually shooting a four-under 70.

Because of horrendous downpours, the legendary links came under siege, waterlogged to such an extent that the morning start to the second round had to be delayed by three hours.

LGU officials then split the field, using both the first and 10th tee boxes to get the action flowing. Alison, the Irish champion who also features in RCD Ladies Senior Cup teams, moved to three-under-par after 27 holes.

"After dropping a shot at the 11th, when bunkered, I pitched to two feet for birdie at the long 12th, and was on in two shots at the 13th," Coffey said.

"Wedge to 12 feet had that third birdie on the way out, but I missed the targets at the short fourth and the par-four fifth holes to drop strokes on the way home. Overall, a good day's work.

"It wasn't the best round of golf I've played today, but I managed to keep it together, and holed some good saving putts," she added. The closing 36 holes will be completed today.