BRADFORD Golf Union captain Martin Gaffney knows his side face a tricky test against title favourites Sheffield in their second game of the season this Sunday, but he hopes they can make use of their home advantage at Hawksworth.

Gaffney is hopeful that the inside knowledge of George Grant and James Tate will prove decisive, as this course is where the pair ply their trade for Bradford Golf Club.

He said: "We've got a strong team out, and having those two Hawksworth players in George and James will help, as they know the course well."

"Dane Bairstow is playing off the back of his Bradford Amateur Strokeplay win at the weekend, and Terry Brushwood had a good chance of winning that tournament, but had a disastrous 35th hole to have victory snatched away."

Gaffney admitted that he hopes to have the course suited to the strengths of his players, saying: "It will be set up to try and help us a little bit so we can take advantage of local knowledge.

"We've got to keep to the right side of the flag, as there are one or two pin positions at Hawksworth that can be very tricky if you're on the wrong side of the hole."

Sheffield have a very talented side but Gaffney is hoping to make the most of the fact that they will not be at full strength.

He said: "They'll be slightly weakened because three of their top players will be away at the St Andrews Links Trophy, one of whom is Nick Poppleton, who won the English Amateur Strokeplay Championship on Sunday.

"We cannot underestimate them because they have some players away but hopefully we can replicate our (opening-day) win against Teesside."

Looking at the season as a whole, Gaffney is aware that victory at the weekend could shape Union's season, saying: "I think it would create the belief in the team that we could go on and win the league.

"Anyone who can beat Sheffield would come away with that belief. There are still tough matches, against Leeds and York in particular, but Sheffield are certainly the team to beat."

BRADFORD TEAM v SHEFFIELD at Bradford Golf Club:

Dane Bairstow (West Bradford)

Terry Brushwood (Bingley St Ives)

Andy Busfield (South Bradford)

Jordan Clements (Northcliffe)

Andy Couzens (Baildon)

George Grant (Bradford)

James Darcy (Northcliffe)

Rob Hillas (Bingley St Ives)

Darren Rands (Bingley St Ives)

Ben Rhodes (Woodhall Hills)

James Tate (Bradford)

Andy Town (Bingley St Ives)