(Borgo San Lorenzo, Italy, May 17 2002) Denmark’s Iben Tinning and Silvia Cavalleri from Italy are tied on eight under par after two rounds of the £117,000 La Perla Italian Open at Poggio dei Medici GC in Tuscany.

Tinning fired a second consecutive 69 in glorious sunshine, while playing partner Cavalleri added a 70 to her opening 68.

They lead the English pairing of Lora Fairclough, who carded a one under par 72 and six time Solheim Cup player Alison Nicholas, who lobbed in seven birdies in her five under par and best of the day 68, which also included a contentious one shot penalty for slow play on the 12th hole.

Five players are tied at five under par including Spain’s Amaia Arruti, England’s Nicola Moult, Swedes Asa Gottmo and Tour rookie Maria Boden and first round leader Gina Scott, who finished poorly after leading on nine under par after 12 holes, but racked up four bogies in the final five holes.

Cavalleri – pretty pleased

Nicholas’ playing partner Cavalleri began with a scrambling bogey from the trees before waiting to redress the error with a birdie at the ninth. But birdies at the 10th, 12th, 13th and 15th saw her jump into contention for her first Tour title.

“I’m pretty pleased with that,” said the 29-year-old from Milan.

“I played pretty steady and my birdie on nine was key to the day, that got me going. I’m more pleased now than when I started today.”

Tinning opened with a tap in birdie, but had to wait until the seventh for her next and turned in a faultless two under 35. The Dane punched a sand iron to six feet at the 13th for another birdie and rounded off a mistake free round with a 15-foot birdie at the 17th.

Fairclough – all to play for

The 32-year-old from Chorley, who has not tasted victory since the 1998 German Open, compiled four birdies and three bogeys and admitted she is ready to win again.

“I’ll take that,” said Fairclough.

“It was very tricky in that wind as it was swirling quite a bit. It was always going to be a bit fiddly out there and now I’m in, I’m happy and it’s all to play for.

“I’ve been giving it 110 percent recently as before I was giving shots away coming down the last few holes. But now, I’m focussed and I’m ready to win again.”

And Australian Corinne Dibnah racked up a huge bar bill after her hole-in-one at the tricky sixth hole, but described her ace perfectly.

“Five iron, perfect shot, all over the banner and bosh – in!”