Two exciting semis were played at neutral courses this week to decide the finalists of the 2024 East Riding Union Scratch League.
On Wednesday 4th September, Hull and Beverley locked horns at Brough. Hull's ER Amateur Champion Jon Samuel saw off Mike Robson 3&1 in the top match before Beverley's Richard Norton tied the match with a 3&2 win over Gary Pepper. That left George Clark and Ben Herron to decide who would go through to the final at Ganton on Sunday 15th September.
After reaching the final hole at 1up, George followed Ben onto the first fairway with driver to open up the angle to the green with the flag sitting left middle. Both found the green with 9 irons, but when Ben's putt pulled up short, Georeg had two for the match. He needed only one (pictured below) to get Hull through.
Hessle met Ganstead Park in the second semi at Hull Golf Club two days later. Birdies and eagles were flying in all over over the course in three tight matches. Hessle's Andy Woodhead and Ganstead's Paul Wray couldn't be separated in match one. Andy Lockwood kept his nose ahead in match 3, whilst Luke Thornton and Steve Dale threw the kitchen sink at each other in the middle game. Holes were halved in birdie before Luke had his moment of magic at the short 8th. A gap wedge pitched two feet behind the hole and spun back down the slope into the cup for his third career ace!
Steve gained some retribution at the par 4 10th where Luke had hit his driver to 15 feet. Steve chipped in from the apron for an eagle of his own (pictured below) to tie the match. The match was still in the balance on the uphill 17th, but Luke won the final two holes to take Hessle to Ganton in nine days time to face Hull.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Junior League Secretary
