Just two weeks after their loss at Halifax, East Riding Men's Team travelled west again, but this time came back victorious from Woodhall Hills. Their comprehensive defeat of the Bradford Union keeps alive hopes of defending the YIDU title, and a decent gain in the game difference column never does any harm.
After a laboured foursomes performance last time out, Team Manager Andy Lockwood put out some different pairings due to availability and form to see if he could find the magic formula. Yorkshire regulars Steve Uzzell and Jack Northgraves (pictured above) led the team out and brought home the first point of the day with an assured 3&2 victory, helped in part by being awarded two holes when one of their opponents was found to have 15 clubs in their bag!
Second out was another White Rose regular Jack Maxey and the returning Ryan Gray. They had it all to do against the Bradford GC duo of Darren Rands and Huey Cunningham and emerged with a deserved half. Another new pairing threw the two Toms together - Brown and Duck, fresh from his second place in last week's Amateur Championship at Ganton. They led throughout the back nine, but were taken the distance and eventually won 2up.
The last three matches also went to the home hole where the Hornsea pairing of Phil Wright and Jonnie Fisher were held to a half, before debutants Warren Burns and George Coope came from 4 down after 11 to pinch a win on the 18th green. Incredible determination from two of Sunil Mukerjea's successful ERUGC Junior Team.
If the fifth pair were the youngest in Union blue, the anchor pair were clearly at the other end of the age spectrum, but Leigh Gawley and Paul Harper used all of their experience to complete a near perfect morning for East Riding with their 2up victory.
This was the first unbeaten foursomes session since the away fixture at York in June 2021 and certainly made lunch less stressful at 10-2 than the opposite score of 2-10 a fortnight ago.
Steve Uzzell secured his point and had first use of the showers with a consumate 2up victory, but Jack Maxey lost 1 down on the final green. Ganton's Jack Northgraves also went all the way to the home hole, but had to settle for a half at the end of a long hot day in the hills above Bradford.
Ryan Gray once again proved why he won the 2023 Player of the Year award with a 4&2 victory which started a succession of wins which pulled East Riding across the finishing line early. Jonnie Fisher prevailed 3&2 and Tom Duck completed a perfect return to the senior team (after three years in the pro ranks) with a 2&1 victory. East Riding had hit the magic 19 points needed for victory, the key now was to press on to improve their 'goal difference' which could prove crucial later in the saeson.
Tom Brown soon followed with a calm 3&1 success, a score which was matched by the ever dependable Leigh Gawley playing at number 8. Warren Burns added a 2&1 win to his morning victory to make a perfect debut for the big-hitting teenager. Paul Harper was edged out at the last, whilst Phil Wright celebrated his recall with a 2&1 win. George Coope's half closed out the match to leave East Riding as 28-08 victors.
The scoreline doesn't really tell the story of the match, as 10 of the 18 matches went to the 18th green. Quite a statistic and an exhausting day for most of the players on a sweltering day in West Yorkshire.
Hornsea's Steve Uzzell maintains his lead in the 2024 Player of the Year standings as both he and nearest challenger challenger Leigh Gawley both gained maximum points against Bradford.
Thanks to Bradford Union and the staff at Woodhall Hills for their hospitality on the day and to the green staff for presenting the course in wonderful condition.
Next up is the much anticipated clash with Sheffield Union at Brough Golf Club on Sunday 14 July.
Full fixtures, results and table
Jonathan Clark / Howard Palmer
East Riding Team Support
