DESPITE finishing with two rounds of 74 (+2), Stoneham pro Richard Bland edged a little closer to securing his European Tour card for next season at the Czech Masters.

A two-under second round had moved the 41-year-old into contention for a strong finish but his weekend scores sent him falling down the leaderboard and into a finishing place of tied 60th.

On the plus side, earnings of more than 2,000 Euros edged him closer to guaranteeing a place on the main tour for next season.

He could be joined there by Liphook’s Sam Hutsby who finished fifth in the Rolex Trophy after a final round 67.

The 25-year-old, who won 9,000 Euros, stands 13th in the Challenge Tour money list with the top 15 earning European Tour cards.