Moltke-Leth and Ekelundh lead after round two of the BBC Radio Kent Ladies’ English Open

Sweden’s Cecilia Ekelundh

Joint overnight leader Masters, 23, who is a member at the Chart Hills club, posted a 73 for a two-under-par 142 total, while fellow former Curtis Cup star Reid posted a second successive 71. Highgate, who signed for a 69 to share the lead at the close of day one, carded a 73, while Maconi had a 70.

Spain’s Ana Belen Sanchez, who led the Ladies European Tour’s “18 Finest” competition at the start of the week, can breathe a sigh of relief after comfortably cruising past the projected 36-hole cut mark, which was predicted to fall to 68 players at seven-over-par.

Sanchez recorded rounds of 73 and 74 to tie for 23rd position with a three-over-par aggregate at the end of the second day’s play.

If Sanchez passes the 36-hole cut, she is guaranteed a place in the prize winner’s circle for The 18 Finest, which concludes at the end of the final round.

Her main competitors Rebecca Stevenson, Nikki Garrett, Rebecca Hudson and Cecilia Ekelundh are all still in the competition.