THE leading qualifier. Alison Coffey, had to survive a shoot-out at wintry Castlerock yesterday before reaching this morning's semi-finals in the Ulster ladies championship.

The Warrenpoint player had an easy morning ride, sweeping aside the challenge of Sonya Hopley by five and four, but then had to play extra-time in the afternoon before squashing the hopes of Bronagh McCann.

Never more than two holes separated the pair in the quarter-finals and Coffey was two up with three to play. The wheel then came off as she lost the 16th to par and the 18th to birdie three to leave the argument all square. However, at the second tie hole Coffey booked her place in this morning's semi-finals with a solid par four after McCann missed the green and after pitching to 15 feet failed to roll home the putt.