Leeds Union 23 – 13 ERUGC
Howley Hall Golf Club
Sunday 6th September 2026
As play got under way at 10am, the omens were not good – the rain began to fall and Blake Ellison topped the opening tee shot. Yet some rays of sunshine shone through the gloom with Blake (putting below) and his partner Jacob Hodgson getting their noses in front early in the round.
In match 2, Charlie Milner and Jack Clark took the lead on the 7th, whilst in match 4, Steve Dale and Steve
Sorrenson made the turn 3up.
However, it was all Leeds on the back nine as they romped home for comfortable wins in all six matches. So, yet another opportunity for East Riding to show off their mountaineering skills in the afternoon singles.
As the rain ceased and the sunshine returned, a fast start was critical and the top half of the order duly delivered.
Jacob and Blake were 1up and 4up respectively on the 9th tee, whilst Charlie was 2up, and Tom Benson and Tom Brown were both level after 7. The only player in arrears in the top half of the order was Jack who was 2 down but he rallied to take the lead on the 15th.
The bottom half of the order was also making their presence felt. Will Storr was 2up, Steve Sorrenson 5up, Tom Hinks on debut 1up and Mason Sleight 1up after 10 holes. At this point, East Riding were up in 8, down in 2 and tied in 2, suggesting a tie was possible, or even a win.
Sadly, the last three holes turned into East Riding’s nemesis with the two tied matches falling to Leeds and two
other matches being turned into a loss and a half. That half came at a cost to Will Storr who, had he holed his putt on the last to win his match (above), he would have equalled the points tally of Hull teammate and foursomes partner George Clark, who, despite his absence at Howley Hall, is the 2026 Player of the Year.
So a final score of Leeds 23 – 13 East Riding which rounded of a challenging YIDU League campaign with a healthy (yet unhealthy) 33 different players turning out over the seven fixtures. Finding consistent and/or successful foursomes pairings with such a churn of players was a difficulty throughout the season.
Thanks to the Leeds & District Union for their hospitality and to Howley Hall Golf Club for a splendid course and catering. President Alan Hutchinson and Union Secretary Tom Elder were in attendance all day, whilst Howard Palmer stood in as Team Captain in the absence of Team Manager Rees Brown and Vice Captain Leigh Gawley.
The YIDU season closes next weekend with the 6 man Team Championship at Rudding Park in Harrogate where the home union will be attempting the double after sealing a narrow win in the 2026 League.
Howard Palmer
ERUGC Caretaker Manager
