ERUGC v York Union at Skidby Lakes, Sunday 14 May, 2023
The 2023 YIDU season got underway with a home match at the Skidby Lakes Golf Club against a very good York Union. For the first match of the season, the Union gave a debut to Tom Adcock from Cave Castle Golf Club. Welcome aboard Tom.
The teams were welcomed to the East Yorkshire course by a thin blanket of mist which lingered most of the morning. In the opening foursomes match the duo of Luke Thornton and Warren Burns looked to continue their unbeaten run from last season. A few new pairings from practice matches through the winter were also put to the test, with captain Luke Townhill paired with Ewan Mackenzie, George Coope partnering Harry Mukerjea, Alfred Anderson and Callum Burns with the tried and tested pairing of Bobby Beasley and Erjan Kuzu bringing up the rear.
All the pairings worked remarkably well with victories in all the morning’s matches! In his debut match Tom Adcock paired with 2022 Player of the Year Alfie Slater and they managed to hang on to win 2up after being 6up at one point!
So at half time, East Riding had a healthy 12-0 lead! It is always difficult defending a big lead. With the fear of complacency not wanting to set in and the risk of rain later in the day, the team for the afternoon singles matches were asked to remain focused on the task in hand and take nothing for granted.
With a half in the top match between Yorkshire Boys players Luke Thornton and Sam Norman [pictured together on the 18th tee] and two wins from the first three matches, was the charge on for York? Thankfully for the East Riding, the answer was most definitely no!
Warren Burns, Alfie Slater and Bobby Beasley made sure nerves were soon settled with impressive victories of 6&4, 7&6 and a scintillating performance of 9&7 respectively. Further victories by George Coope, Callum Burns, Alfred Anderson, Harry Mukerjea and Erjan Kuzu made sure the East Riding won 8 out of the last 9 matches.
The East Riding therefore ran out winners by 29 points to 7 just as the torrential rain came through. Very well done gentlemen!! The next match is at the seaside at Scarborough South Cliff GC on Sunday 28th May against the Harrogate Union.
All the matches were played in a great spirit and well played to both sides. As always, thank you to all the volunteers and parents who help make these events happen. Thank you to Skidby Lakes Golf Club for their hospitality and for being wonderful hosts. It was greatly appreciated.
As exam season is starting very soon, good luck and best wishes to those sitting exams this summer.
Sunil Mukerjea
Junior Team Manager
