BRADFORD were unable to build on an opening-game success as they lost 21-15 to Harrogate in their second Yorkshire Inter-District Union match.

After a 19-17 victory away to Halifax-Huddersfield, Martin Gaffney's men were hoping to continue their good start on home soil at West Bradford.

But, after the morning foursomes ended 6-6, Harrogate took control of the singles, winning nine of the first 12 points available as they triumphed 15-9.

Bingley St Ives pair Terry Brushwood and Andy Town got the hosts off to a good start with a 3&2 win but Dane Bairstow and new Bradford Amateur champion Nigel Colbeck came unstuck by the same margin.

Pairs James Firth and Danny Rowley, and Warren Kemp and Jack Laybourne, both halved their matches but former Leeds United player Andy Couzens and Oliver Tasker were well beaten 6&5.

However, an impressive 4&3 win by Robert Malloy and Ben Rhodes ensured the foursomes finished level pegging.

With their front three in the singles having all been members at West Bradford, the hosts were now looking to take control.

Brushwood did his bit by easily seeing off former union team-mate Oliver Young, now playing for Otley, 5&4 but Bairstow could only halve with George Muscroft and Town went down 4&3 to Phil Kitching.

Key players Firth and Colbeck lost their matches at the last and Laybourne's 4&2 loss to Robert Nesbitt left Bradford really up against it.

Couzens and Tasker made up for their foursomes hiding with 2&1 wins and Rhodes ensured a maximum personal haul with a 3&1 triumph.

But Kemp and Rowley suffered narrow defeats and Malloy's 4&3 loss to Steve Whitwham capped a disappointing day for the hosts.

York top the table following a 21-15 win at Teesside, while Halifax-Huddersfield and Leeds remain pointless after defeats at East Riding (22-14) and at home to Sheffield (22-14) respectively.

Bradford's next match is at East Riding's KP Club on Sunday, June 26.