Scott Hend moved into pole position for a second European Tour title of the season after he edged a shot clear at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, courtesy of a 5-under 65.

The 43-year-old, winner of the True Thailand Classic Presented by Chang last March, was at one point three shots ahead after he opened with a birdie three at the challenging first hole, before three consecutive birdies from the sixth took him to the turn in 4-under.

He picked up two more shots at the tenth and 15th but a bogey at the last left him on a 13-under total, with Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open Champion Alex Noren just one back after the Swede signed for a four under par 66 and a 12 under total.

"I played really nice golf. I left a few shots out there but made a couple of par saves which made up for it. It was unfortunate on 18 when my ball managed to run between the bunkers down the cart path. It is a tough driving hole and I didn’t get it into the spot I wanted to," said Hend.

"One shot clear is better than none. I just want to play solid golf again and hopefully hole some more putts and see where we ended up. Hopefully Alex (Noren) and I can forge ahead and create a gap between us and the field and battle it out on the back nine."

"The weather is awesome and the crowds are always great here in the weekend. I should have won more. I had chances to win more but I’ve only won twice. I’m hungry to win more than twice or three times or more than four."

"I want to win as many times as I can. You have to get into position to win all the time and if it comes a point when you can’t win so be it. I enjoy the occasion and that’s why I play golf for."

Richard Green, who was tied for the lead at the halfway mark, dropped down the leaderboard to T8 after a 1-over 71 round three. Marcus Fraser backed up yesterday’s 1-under 69 with another to see him T11 going into the final round. Nathan Holman and Brett Rumford both struggled on day three firing 5-over and 14-over respectively.