YORKSHIRE are celebrating after being crowned English senior men's county golf champions for the first time after sealing the title by defeating Warwickshire.

A tough match at Goswick Golf Club in Northumberland saw Yorkshire snatch critical points on the 17th and 18th greens to emerge 5-4 winners.

Tony Greenhalgh, standing in for regular captain John Grimbleby, reflected: "We are absolutely ecstatic. It's the first time we have won this trophy and so it's very special."

Yorkshire were in pole position at the start of the match as they had already beaten Sussex and Gloucestershire.

A win or a half would grant them overall victory but a defeat would mean a countback and bring Warwickshire and Sussex into the reckoning. But Sussex's title hopes were finally ended when Gloucestershire held them to a draw.

Meanwhile, Yorkshire and Warwickshire were locked in battle and the Tykes held a 2-1 lead after the foursomes, helped by gritty play from Garry Cuthbert and Peter Ward as they won despite being one down after 15.

As the singles unfolded, Warwickshire took charge and, with six holes played, they trailed in only one game. Andrew Carman kept the momentum going as he eased to a 6&5 win and Tony Allen edged the team ahead when he won on the 17th.

The tension mounted as the final games played out the closing holes. Yorkshire's Johnny Lawrence, who was ahead throughout his game, added his point on the 17th. Yorkshire's Andy King waited until the 17th before getting ahead in his game but then held on to claim a 1up win. But Warwickshire's Peter Gordon kept the team tally level when he also won 1up.

The decider was the last game on the course and Yorkshire's Ward and Warwickshire opponent Rob Soen were all square as they stood on the 18th tee.

Soen hit a superb approach into the green which finished about three feet from the hole – but Ward did even better, playing to within six inches of the cup. It proved to be the winner when Soen's birdie attempt slipped past, putting the title securely in Yorkshire's grasp.

Greenhalgh said: "It was a very demanding afternoon. I kept looking at the scoreboard and Warwickshire were comfortably ahead. But Johnny Lawrence, Andy King and Peter Ward brought in the points when we needed them."

Sussex finished the championship as runners-up, followed by Warwickshire and then Gloucestershire.