Jason Darrell shot a three over par 75 to replace opening round leader Brian Smith in the Boys 15 and over division during yesterday's second round of the Glidden Bowl Junior Championships at Riddell's Bay.

Beginning the day in second place, five shots adrift of Smith, Darrell got off to a shaky start, carding six bogeys over the first nine holes to make the turn at five over 41.

However, his fortunes would finally take a turn for the better on the back nine as birdies on ten and 13 not only saw him come in at even par and surge to the summit, but also open up a comfortable three shot lead heading into today's final round.

Daniel Augustus, meanwhile, fired a 76 to remain in contention for the championship won last year by Jarryd Dillas. Augustus climbed up to second, three shots behind Darrell, while opening round leader Smith blew a commanding five stroke lead to fall back to third after soaring to 86, 14 shots over par.

"I think I did fairly today - though I was a bit shaky on the front nine," Darrell conceded. "On the back nine I did manage to birdie ten and 13 and shoot even on the back. So I am very happy with that."

Darrell attributed an upswing in fortunes to a solid putting game.

"I putted extremely well and that was what probably helped me a lot on the back nine were I made a lot of good putts," added the teenager, poised now in an ideal position to seize the championship.

"I just have to go out there and play my own game," he added. "And don't worry about the scoreboard and try to make good swings and good putts."

Mark Phillips held onto a slim one stroke lead over second placed Blair Marshall among the Boys 13 to 14 division. Andrew Osborne remained in third spot after carding a 80 yesterday.

Jun Hardart, meanwhile, maintained a three stroke advantage to lead the Boys 11 to 12 age group over second placed Angus Lang who shot 80.

Damian Palayandi fired a 46 over nine holes to add to an opening round 49 which was good enough to see the youngster take over the lead from overnight leader Bill Scotten (50) and Alex Osborne (50) - both currently tied for second. Ryan Roberts (48) remained in third spot heading into today's final round.

Glidden Bowl action resumes today at 1 p.m.