Ellie Brown led a strong Norfolk challenge on the final day of the English Girls' Under-16 Championship at Royal Cromer, putting together two solid rounds to finish in a tie for third place.

While new champion Cloe Frankish was in a class of her own, winning the title by no fewer than 12 shots, there was a keen battle for the minor placings – and Ellie and county colleague Amelia Williamson were both in the thick of it.

Playing on her home course, Amelia put together a superb two under par final round of 72 to finish joint sixth, while Ellie went round in 74 to finish just one shot adrift of second placed Ashley Croft.

The Barnham Broom player had also posted an excellent 74 in the morning to set up her challenge for a top two finish, while Amelia also moved into contention by playing the first 14 holes in just one over before two double bogeys and a triple scuppered her chances as she finished up with an 82.

The home player then showed her character by starting her final round with an eagle three before going on to record the best round of the afternoon thanks to three more birdies.

Two other Norfolk girls qualified for the final two rounds, with Amy Taylor of Bawburgh finishing tied 24th (84, 77, 80, 82) and Jasmine Campbell of Royal Norwich tied 27th (82, 77, 87, 79). Also competing over the first two days were Abigail O'Riordan (Thetford, 85, 90), Megan Mann (Barnham Broom, 93, 83), Chloe Rowswell (Eaton, 87, 89) and Imogen Leeder (Dereham, 92, 97).

Kent's Cloe Frankish won the title on two-under par after rounds of 73, 74, 72 and 75. It completed a title double for the 16-year-old from Chart Hills who won the Scottish Ladies' U-21 championship last week.

n Essex golfer Lily May Humphreys held her nerve through a tight showdown to win the U14 championship at the same venue.

The 13-year-old from Channels had started the final round with a two-shot lead and at one stage had extended her advantage to five shots.

But her playing partner, Mimi Rhodes, gradually pulled her back and after she birdied the 16th, the two girls were level. Both parred the 17th before Humphreys claimed the title on the 18th with a six, to win by a shot. She finished the championship on five-over par while Rhodes, who is based in Spain, was runner-up for the second year in a row. Norfolk were represented by Chloe Gibbs of Royal Norwich who failed to make the cut after rounds of 89 and 95.

Cornwall's Emily Toy came from seven shots back at the halfway stage to win the English girls' championship at Sheringham.

The 17-year-old from Carlyon Bay was four under par for the 72-hole championship and won by two shots from girl internationals Lizzie Prior (Burhill) and Emma Allen (Meon Valley). After 36 holes Allen had romped to a seven-shot lead, thanks to rounds of seven-under 66 and 71. But yesterday she slipped back with scores of 78, 75 while Toy forged ahead with a pair of 72s.

Norfolk's two representatives in the event were unable to make it through to the final day. Sian Fenn-Green of Swaffham finished tied 67th after rounds of 87 and 89 while Tara Davis of Barnham Broom was tied 70th after following an 88 with a 90.