Clements sparkles for Bradford but steely Sheffield clinch title

In 2015, they defeated Halifax-Huddersfield, who needed a victory to take the crown at Northcliffe.

Last Sunday, Bradford were at the same venue trying to prevent Sheffield from lifting the silverware, with joint-top York waiting in the wings if the steel city men slipped up.

Despite very heavy rain on Saturday, the course was in excellent condition, with the greens receptive and true, although a handful of bunkers were declared ground under repair.

Sheffield, who had a handicap advantage of 35, arrived with a full-strength team, with all but two of them being plus-handicappers, with the two highest handicaps being scratch.

Bradford captain Martin Gaffney (Cleckheaton) split the three home players in the foursomes to try to maximise course knowledge, and Chris Green and Rob Malloy led the pairings, earning a well-deserved one-up win against Nick Poppleton and Ben Brewster.

But the promising start faded as Bradford proceeded to lose the next four foursomes matches, Andy Couzens and Dan Teece restoring some pride with a 3&1 victory, making it three from three for Andy in foursomes this season.

With the score at 8-4 to Sheffield after the morning foursomes, Bradford needed to make a strong start to

the singles to maintain any hope of preventing Sheffield winning.

While Chris Green opened well and looked in contention, he could not recover from losing 11, 12 and 13 on his way to a 5&3 defeat against Nick Poppleton.

Nigel Colbeck struggled against an in-form Bailey Gill and lost 7&5, but in the following three singles involving Northcliffe, Bradford took five points with a half for Rob Malloy and wins for James Darcy and Jordan

Clements.

Jordan’s 6&5 win against Alex Fitzpatrick was particularly impressive and will hopefully give him the confidence to advance his game.

However, Andy Busfield suffered his first singles defeat of the season losing, 6&5 to Lewis Hollingsworth, and Gaffney stepped in for the ill Matthew Morrison and won one up against Jordan Perry.

But the following three games produced comfortable wins for Sheffield, who thus won the match and the title.

However, Andy Couzens won 2&1 and Dan Teece agreed to a half after being one up through 11 but suffering from a neck injury.

Despite losing 22-14, there were some good individual performances and the team effort belied the combined handicap differential.

Gaffney, who thanked all of the players for their support, said: "A few players have progressed significantly this season, and hopefully players throughout the Union recognise if they’re playing well they can be considered for selection."

Bradford v Sheffield – Foursomes (Bradford names first): C Green (Cleckheaton) & R Malloy (Northcliffe) bt N Poppleton (Wath upon Dearne) & B Brewster (Bawtry) by 1 hole, N Colbeck (Cleckheaton & J Clements (Northcliffe) lost to B Gill & N Fell (both Lindrick) 5&4, J Darcy (Northcliffe) & A Busfield (South Bradford) lost to A Fitzpatrick (Hallamshire) & J Harrison (Rotherham) 5&4, H O’Callaghan (Woodhall Hills) & M Gaffney (Cleckheaton) lost to T Brind (Abbeydale) & J Perry (Phoenix) 2&1, M Ryder (Skipton) & J Tate (Bradford) lost to L Hollingworth (Tankersley Park) & D Moon (Rotherham) 4&2, A Couzens & D Teece (both Baildon) bt N Stones (Bawtry) & C Daughtrey (Rotherham) 3&1. Foursomes: Bradford 4 Sheffield 8. Singles: C Green lost to N Poppleton 5&3, N Colbeck lost to B Gill 7&5, R Malloy halved with B Brewster, J Clements bt A Fitzpatrick 6&5, J Darcy bt J Harrison by 1 hole, A Busfield lost to L Hollingworth 6&5, M Gaffney bt J Perry by 1 hole, H O’Callaghan lost to T Brind 6&5, J Tate lost to N Fell 7&6, M Ryder lost to C Daughtrey 5&4, A Couzens bt D Moon 2&1, D Teece halved with N Stones. Singles: Bradford 10 Sheffield 14. Final total: Bradford 14 Sheffield 22.

FINAL YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE TABLE

P W L H Pt

Sheffield 7 6 1 0 12

York 7 6 1 0 12

East Riding 7 3 3 1 7

Leeds 7 3 4 0 6

Hfx-Huddersfield 7 3 4 0 6

Harrogate 7 2 4 1 5

Bradford 7 2 5 0 4

Teesside 7 2 5 0 4