For the second year running. East Riding's home opener in the YIDU league turned out to be a classic.
Harrogate Union were the visitors with a strong side full of new faces since the September meeting at Starbeck. Facing Steve Uzzell around his home course and Jack Northgraves fresh from his second place in the Danny Willett Trophy was a tough assignment for Harrogate's top pair in the opening foursomes. Steve and Jack ran out comfortable winners 4&3.
In the second and third matches, Harrogate got their noses in front as firstly Ryan Gray and Jacob Hodgson, then Hornsea boys Matty Raybould and Jonnie Fisher succumbed 2&1 and 4&3 respectively.
Another Hornsea home bird Leigh Gawley and new partner Paul Harper from Scarbourough North Cliff, playing for the Union for the first time in 19 years, used all of their experience to triumph 4&3 in match four. Another victory came at the other end of the age spectrum as 'Team Luke' (Thornton and Townhill) unleashed some mammoth drives down the stretch to record another 4&3 win. Neither of them were born when Paul last played for the Union!
Things looked good for a healthy lunchtime lead as the new pairing of Dan Digby and Tom Brown stood 2up with three to play. However, errors at 16 and 17 let their Harrogate opponents back in. 12 nervy shots between the pairs down the last meant that the spoils were shared and East Riding sat down to their sandwiches only 7-5 in front.
A quick start was required to quell any early nerves and Uzzell duly delivered around his home track with a 3&2 victory. Sadly Northgraves lost his way (and a couple of balls) coming home and lost by the same score. Wins followed in quick succession from Raybould, Fisher and Gray and with Hull's Jacob Hodgson 4up early in the back nine, the finish line looked imminent.
One of Harrogate's new faces, Brook Coward, had other ideas. An inspired fightback had the Skipton player all square in the middle of the 18th fairway with Hodgson just under the lea of the left hand trees which line the practice ground. Brook's approach came up short left of the home green and left Jacob to take advantage with a trappy punched 8 iron which nearly went in and wandered 15 feet past the flag. Brook failed to get up and down, so Jacob's two putt [pictured above] was enough to take East Riding to 17 points - just one win short of victory.
Team Manager Andy Lockwood was delighted with the top half of the order putting the points on the board, but where was the winning point coming from?
Leigh Gawley and Paul Harper both lost their matches on the last and Dan Digby ran into an inspired opponent and lost 6&5. News of the two Lukes playing at 11 and 12 was not good either, but thankfully the tall figure of Ganton's Tom Brown appeared down the long 16th at 2up. A sensational pitch to two feet for a birdie got the job done and reigning YIDU League champions East Riding had opened their 2024 campaign with a hard fought win.
Thanks to the greenkeepers at Hornsea Golf Club for presenting the course in such wonderful condition and to the bar and catering staff for looking after players and officials so well.
Steve Uzzell takes an early lead in the Player of the Year standings with the day's only 100% record.
Another big test awaits next time out as Halifax and Huddersfield welcome East Riding at Halifax Bradley Hall on Sunday 9th June.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Junior League Secretary
