BRADFORD'S late-order players ensured victory at Malton & Norton Golf Club as they staved off a fightback from hosts York in the Yorkshire Inter-District League.

Martin Gaffney's men looked on course for a landslide result after leading 10-2 following the morning foursomes.

But an afternoon recovery saw York win four of the opening six singles and halve the other two to level at 12-12.

Gaffney and Baildon's Andy Couzens won their matches comfortably to ease Bradford back in front but the other four games went down to the last hole.

And it was the visitors who held their nerve as Andy Busfield, Hawksworth debutant John Reddy and Jordan Clements triumphed while Marc Read claimed a half.

Cleckheaton's Busfield won his game in spectacular style as he pitched in for an eagle three down the 18th.

Earlier in the day, Ben Rhodes and George Grant (4&2), Chris Foster and Darren Rands (3&1), Busfield and Oliver Tasker (3&1), Max Berrisford and Gaffney (4&3) and Clements and Couzens (2 holes) had provided the platform for success in the foursomes.

Victory saw Bradford leapfrog York into fifth place and a win in their final match at home to bottom team Teesside at Bingley St Ives on September 3 could see them claim a third-place finish.