PAUL Jones kept the Dorset flag flying at the West Region PGA Cornish Riviera Festival by sharing top place with former European Tour winner Andrew Sherborne.

It was his first victory at the event but completed a hat-trick for Dorset players after Michael Watson (Weymouth) had won last year and Martyn Thompson (Parkstone) in 2005.

The Canford Magna pro led one of the three Parkstone teams alongside Thompson and Watson and achieved the Cornish Festival win he has threatened for years.

Jones was tied for third in 2003 but missed last year's tournament as his girl friend Natasha was having treatment for leukaemia.

After leading for three hours, Jones was caught by Sherborne who produced a quality round of four-under-par 65 at Newquay to claim a share of the top prize money.

The previous day Jones had compiled the low round of the week with 64 in the same cliff-top course.

He said: "It was nearly a perfect round of golf and I took just 27 putts."

This propelled the 30-year-old Canford Magna pro into contention going into the final day. He had birdie chances at each of the last five holes but took only one to card a one-under-par 70 at Trevose.

"I was driving solidly all week and didn't miss many fairways. I also kept the ball under control with my irons. But I didn't take my opportunities on the greens at St Enodoc on the first day."

Usually cavernous bunkers are the scourge of golfers on links courses but Jones said: "I didn't go in any in the 54 holes."

Former Ryder Cup player Steven Richardson completed a hat-trick of team victories in West Region PGA Festivals assisted by three Hampshire amateurs.

Partnered by Stoneham pair Peter Price and Paul Baxter and Martin Rudderham from East Horton, he signed for a winning team total of 37-under-par 389 in the Cornish Riviera Festival at St Enodoc, Trevose and Newquay.