Tim Wade hailed his Bradford side for winning the Yorkshire Inter-District title ahead of schedule – and backed them to become champions again next season.

Their first county crown for four years came after beating East Riding 22-14 in a winner-takes-all showdown at Cleckheaton.

And Wade believes he has the nucleus of a squad capable of retaining the trophy, unlike the 2006 side which largely broke up after their triumph.

“We’re going to be a very strong side and the platform is there to do well again,” he said.

“Cec (Bloice, vice-captain) and I didn’t expect to win it this year. We were looking at next season but the lads have come through and done really well.”

With Northcliffe’s Rob Hillas poised to regain his amateur status and Darryl Berry back in the fray, Bradford should have an ideal blend of experience and youth for their defence.

Despite a few nervy moments, they always held the upper hand against East Riding.

Their 7-5 halfway advantage looked like being more but last pair Jamie Mountain and Dave Woodcock lost after being one up with three to play.

Victories for lynchpin Peter Fenton and Terry Brushwood maintained the advantage in the singles but Nigel Colbeck could only manage a half after a stunning comeback from Matt Daley.

The Cleckheaton youngster had two putts on the 14th for a 5&4 win but three-putted and Daley hit back to level with a birdie and an eagle.

But wins from Berry, Matthew Atter – who won all his six singles throughout the season – and Dane Bairstow kept the hosts in control, before Andy Fitzpatrick’s two points clinched the title.

Looking back on the season, Wade highlighted two key landmarks which were crucial to their success.

The first was young Chris Howe’s singles victory that secured Bradford a draw at Malton & Norton against York.

Wade said: “He was one down with two play and won it. I took my hat off to him as it was the last match on the course and everyone was watching. I remember saying how important that point could be and so it proved.

“The other big moment was beating Leeds away. That was always going to be the difficult one.”

Bradford are now hoping to put the icing on the cake with victory in the county six-man team event at Doncaster Golf Club on Sunday.

The side consists of Bairstow, James Firth, Brushwood, Colbeck, Andy Town and Fenton, with Atter as reserve.

RESULTS – Bradford 22, East Riding 14 – Foursomes (7-5): P Fenton & N Colbeck halved with D Raybould & D Woodhead, T Brushwood & D Berry bt P Lockwood & M Daley 3&1, J Firth & P Thomas lost to J Sloan & M Bentley 4&3, D Bairstow & M Evans bt L Robinson & L Nichols 3&2, M Atter & A Fitzpatrick bt A Lockwood & M Helyard 2&1, J Mountain & D Woodcock lost to A Wright & R Webster 2 holes. Singles (15-9): P Fenton (Cleckheaton) bt P Lockwood 4&3, J Firth (Baildon) lost to D Woodhead 3&2, T Brushwood (West Bradford) bt D Raybould 2&1, N Colbeck (Cleckheaton) halved with M Daley, D Berry (West Bradford) bt M Helyard 6&5, M Atter (Bradford) bt L Robinson 3&2, D Bairstow (Bingley St Ives) bt L Nichols 6&5, P Thomas (West Bradford) lost to A Lockwood 2 holes, M Evans (Hollins Hall) lost to J Sloan 3&1, A Fitzpatrick (Keighley) bt M Bentley 3&1, J Mountain (Cleckheaton) halved with R Webster, D Woodcock (Cleckheaton) halved with A Wright.

Other results: Leeds 24, Harrogate 12; York 28, Teesside 8, Halifax-Huddersfield 15, Sheffield 21.