All permutations were possible as the final gameweek of the 2023 Junior League group phase took place.
The only certainties were that Skidby would occupy one of the top four spots and that Hessle would finish bottom, but beyond that was anyone's guess!
Let's start at the top of the standings, where a strong Skidby side entertained four time defending champions Hull who needed just one win from the three matches to secure their own play-off spot.
George Coope defeated East Riding Boys team-mate Harry Mukerjea in the top match. Bobby Beasley [putting in the photo above] was too strong for Max Wright in the bottom match, which left Hull's George Pepper needing to defeat Alfie Slater in the middle game. Despite muscle dsamage to his left shoulder having caddied 36 holes at Kirk Ella during the day on the back of 72 holes of his own over the weekend, Alfie soldiered on and hung on to win at the 17th with a miracle up and down from the hay 40 yards left of the green.
So Skidby would definitely top the standings and Hull were out whatever happened elsewhere.
Second placed Hornsea travelled to Hessle with such a good hole average that their spot was all but sealed. However, the home team's top two, Alfred Anderson and Seth Topham, lost to Luke Thornton and Sam Sharpe respectively, but a walkover for Lilly Anderson (as Hessle could not manage to put out a third player) confirmed Hornsea's second place to guarantee home advantage in the play-off semi final.
So all eyes turned east to Burstwick who needed maximum points or two victories by big margins. Tom Ward and Ethan Matthews managed the two wins, but not by the larger margins required. When Sol Anderson lost to Will Bentley on the 18th green, Burstwick's fate was sealed, losing out by just three holes to Cottingham for 4th place. Beverley therefore, with their one win on the night, consolidated their third position.
The play-offs are therefore as follows, with the two winning teams qualifying for the final at Ganton on Sunday 17 September:
(1) Skidby Lakes vs (4) Cottingham Parks to be played at Skidby
(2) Hornsea vs (3) Beverley to be played at Hornsea
Matches to be played on Sunday 3rd September 2023 with home team organisers responsible for contacting the away team in good time to confirm details. Any issues, please conatct Junior League Secretary Jonathan Clark.
