BRADFORD Golf Union captain Martin Gaffney is putting his faith in a young side against Halifax-Huddersfield at Dewsbury in the Yorkshire Inter-District League this Sunday, as one talented teenager makes his season debut.

Max Berrisford, of Skipton Golf Club, has been tied down with his studies and has not featured in their opening two games this season, which has seen them win at Teesside and lose at home against Sheffield.

Gaffney was delighted by the youngster's return, saying: "Availability is generally good this week and it's great that Max can play. He's completed his A-Levels and will be taking part on Sunday."

Berrisford will be joined by Northcliffe players James Darcy and Mark Cook in the squad and Gaffney is grateful for their presence.

He said: "They've chosen to play for us rather than taking part in their own club's scratch cup, which takes place on the same day, so that's a positive for us."

However their fellow clubmates Jordan Clements and Rob Malloy have gone the other way and Gaffney could not hide his disappointment at missing two of his key players.

He said: "It's frustrating, as we're only a small union. When clubs hold their scratch cup on the same day as a union fixture, it makes availability more difficult and it gives us a reduced squad to select from."

The captain has fond memories of Bradford's last two fixtures against Halifax-Huddersfield, which both resulted in 19-17 wins for his side.

However, he is wary of the threats that Sunday's game poses, saying: "I'm expecting another close match.

"The course at Dewsbury is quite hilly, and with it drying out at the moment, local knowledge of the bounce will have an influence. We're hoping to put the Sheffield defeat behind us here though."

That 23-13 loss to Sheffield a fortnight ago looked comprehensive, but Gaffney's side were level after the foursomes and halved three of their singles matches, all of which looked winnable going up the final hole.

The captain admitted their opponents have some very talented individuals, but he insisted that Bradford's title challenge was not over after defeat to the title favourites.

He said: "There's always a chance that Sheffield will lose to someone like Leeds or East Riding and then the league is still there to be won. It will be tough but it's important not to give in just because you've lost one match."

BRADFORD V HALIFAX-HUDDERSFIELD at Dewsbury Golf Club: Dane Bairstow (West Bradford), Max Berrisford (Skipton), Andy Busfield (South Bradford), Mark Cook (Northcliffe),

James Darcy (Northcliffe), Martin Gaffney (South Bradford), Jack Hall (South Bradford), James Meredith (Bingley St Ives), Matty Morrison (Shipley), John Reddy (Bradford), Ben Rhodes (Woodhall Hills), James Tate (Bradford).