Her closest rival is Wiltshire's Hannah Turland who shot an impressive one-over par 73 to move from sixth to second on the leaderboard. She improved on her first round score by 11 shots.

Hannah, 13, from Tidworth Garrison, had four birdies and an eagle three on the 393-yard fourth, where she chipped in. She was one under par for her front nine.

Bronte Law (Bramhall), who shared the lead after the first round, is now lying third after rounds of 78, 82.

Exactly 18 players have qualified for the final 18 holes of the championship which will be played tomorrow. They include local player, Emily Chan of South-Herts, who shares 11th place.

Qualifying scores: 155 Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies) 78 77. 157 Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison) 84 73. 160 Bronte Law (Bramhall) 78 82. 161 Charley Hull (Kettering) 82 79. 166 Lauren Taylor (Rugby) 83 83. 168 Brogan Townend (Pleasington) 84 84. 169 Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough) 83 86. 170 Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St. Annes) 84 86. 172 Georgia Hall (Ferndown) 89 83; Kenzie McLaren (Wentworth) 87 85. 174 Emily Chan (South Herts) 87 87; Jessica Kaimakami (Blakes) 87 87. 175 Lianna Bailey (Rushcliffe) 86 89. 176 Alice Plumb (Yeovil) 86 90; Fiona Freeth (Sheringham) 92 84. 177 Emma-Jane Harris (Peel Ladies) 87 90. 178 Elizabeth Stebbings (Wilpshire) 91 87. 179 Lucy Evans (Lilleshall Hall).

Elizabeth Mallett and Bronte Law share lead in U13 championship

Warwickshire's Elizabeth Mallett (pictured right with English Schools U16 Championship Trophy) and Cheshire?s Bronte Law share the lead after the first round of the English girls' U13 championship at Brickendon Grange in Hertfordshire Both girls returned scores of six-over par 78 and are four shots clear of Kettering's Charley Hull.

Elizabeth, 13, who plays at Sutton Coldfield, was runner-up in this tournament last year has just won the English schools U16 championship. She was one of the few girls to par the difficult 400-yard par four 17th.

Bronte, 12, plays at Bramhall and, like Elizabeth, is a member of an ELGA birdie squad. She got her round off to a great start with a birdie on the first hole and never had worse than a bogey on a hole.

Lianna Bailey, who at 10 is one of the youngest competitors in the field, had an eagle two in her round. The Rushcliffe player made short work of the 317-yard 10th when she holed a shot with a rescue wood. She finished with an 86 and a share of ninth place.

Emily Chan of South Herts leads the local challenge with an 87 which puts her in a share of 11th place.

After tomorrow's second round the field will be cut to the leading 18 players and ties who will play the final 18 holes of the championship.

Leading scores: 78 Elizabeth Mallett (Sutton Coldfield Ladies), Bronte Law (Bramhall). 82 Charley Hull (Kettering). 83 Lauren Taylor (Rugby), Meghan MacLaren (Wellingborough). 84 Brogan Townend (Pleasington), Hannah Turland (Tidworth Garrison), Emily Taylor (Royal Lytham & St Annes). 86 Lianna Bailey (Rushcliffe), Alice Plumb (Yeovil).