TEN hours of peaceful sleep was a tonic that Brian Barnes needed to launch him back into contention for a second British Seniors championship win in a row at Royal Portrush.

In the opening round the Scot could only manage level par 72 but yesterday shot a superb seven under 65 to share top of the leader board at the halfway stage with Neal Coles and Bob Charles.

"I slept soundly for 10 hours last night and it really relaxed me. It is just what I needed", said Barnes.

A birdie four at the second hole set the holder on his way and he matched that at the par four eighth before pencilling in a golden eagle three at the ninth.