BRADFORD Golf Union captain Martin Gaffney is pleased with the talented youths breaking through in the area, highlighting their importance during the team's Yorkshire Inter-District League season.

Not considered among the title favourites, a home victory over rock-bottom York this Sunday could see Bradford finish joint-third, and Gaffney said: "We've got a young group of players so to come third would represent a reasonable campaign.

"It's encouraging to see those youngsters perform and it helps as we don't have a huge squad. Bingley St Ives have a particularly good structure for juniors at their club.

"Jack Watson is the first of that crop to break into the Union team this season, alongside Skipton's Harry Ayrton, and hopefully those two will develop further over the winter."

Bradford face York at Woodhall Hills Golf Club, hoping to pick up their fourth Inter-District win from seven games. With the season finishing this weekend, Gaffney was happy to recall some highlights.

He said: "We've had some good away wins. There was our big victory on Teesside in the opening game, a narrow one at East Riding and we were unlucky to lose at Leeds."

Bradford's golfers still have plenty to play for too, with Gaffney highlighting the friendly inter-team rivalry in the battle for the Captain's Salver trophy.

Northcliffe's James Darcy is leading the race, but both Andy Busfield and Ben Rhodes are within 10 points. All three will face York and are gunning for the individual crown.

The eponymous Karl Curran Trophy, named after the popular South Bradford golfer who sadly passed away aged 37 in 2009, is also still up for grabs.

Shipley's Dan Thomas is top with 48 points, despite not playing for the Union team this season, and Gaffney explained: "Points are awarded for all different aspects, including the Scratch League and the Bradford Open (which Thomas won in July)."

"But playing for the Union makes sure you can get a good total so it's still all to play for."

After the Inter-District League ends, points will be available from two more tournaments, the Inter-District Team Championship next Sunday and the Bradford Amateur Matchplay, which concludes on September 16.