HAWORTH'S Will Whiteoak ensured Yorkshire claimed outright victory in overcoming Hampshire to get their hands back on the English Men’s County Championship trophy.

The Shipley member won the last singles match to give the white rose team a 5.5-3.5 on the final day at Sandwell Park in Staffordshire.

Three wins out of three sealed their 21st county crown but it was the first time Yorkshire, who are captained by Bingley St Ives member Darryl Berry, have been champions for nine years.

Yorkshire Order of Merit winner Kealan Lowe claimed the point to secure the title, taking them to 4.5 to guarantee at least a draw and success on a points countback.

But Yorkshire and their big contingent of supporters wanted an outright win and were determined to get at least one more point.

Hampshire won the next three singles and Yorkshire’s hopes of that extra point were pinned on the close match between Will Whiteoak and Hampshire captain Martin Young.

Whiteoak held a one-hole advantage for most of the back nine, helped by holing a monster putt for a half on 14. He held on to that slender lead, holing a good ten-footer on the last to finish 1up.

“We wanted to win outright and that’s why I put Will at the back,” said Berry. “He’s a pressure man and he brings it home every time.”

Former Oakbank pupil Whiteoak also won his foursomes match with Wheatley's Ben Brewster by the same margin as Yorkshire clinched 2.5 of the three available points in the morning pairs.

“That was massive,” said Berry, who has previously played in two winning sides. He added: “This is great for the team and for all our supporters. It’s been a brilliant team effort, the lads have been great.”

Whiteoak enjoyed success in Yorkshire's other two matches, shooting a bogey three-under par to thrash Matthew Richards 6&5 as Berry's men came from behind to beat Cornwall 5.5-3.5.

He claimed a half in his singles during the 7-2 win over Warwickshire after teaming up with Howley Hall's Ben Hutchinson to win 5&3 in the foursomes.