THE Halifax-Huddersfield Union juniors scored a ‘Major’ 19-17 win over East Riding at Kilnwick Percy, Pocklington, after battling back from 8-4 down after the foursomes.
With the last singles being played out, the overall score stood at 17-17, then Fixby’s Michael Major, a late replacement and making his debut, came up trumps with the vital last-match points to seal a memorable golfing win.
Two up on the 17th tee, he kept his nerve before an audience of both teams to win the hole for a 3&1 victory.
The foursomes matches were all very tight but at 8-4 down at lunch it didn’t look good for Halifax, Huddersfield, and the situation worsened with Adam Cryer going down to plus two man Luke Robinson by 5&4 in the top singles.
Nick Marsh, four down after five, fought back gallantly, shooting four under for the last nine.
All square going into the last, he clinched victory with a 7-iron to six feet to win the hole and his game.
The signs of the match turning were there as captain Ryan Joyce, despite having a badly sprained ankle, was one under par in winning his game.
Further winning points were supplied by Jamie Smith – two birdies in a big 5&4 performance – Luke Edmonds, George Bamford, Tom Williams and Joshua Bailes while Luke Pilkington gained an important half.
Tom Calvert was presented with his Union tie after making his sixth appearance for the team.
Foursomes: C Atkin (Hainsworth Park) & T Atkin (Hainsworth Park) bt A Cryer (Woodsome Hall) & T Calvert (Willow Valley) 3&2; D Gray (Driffield) & A Haorang (Hornsea) lost to N Marsh (Lightcliffe) & R Joyce (Huddersfield) 2&1; L Robinson (Hornsea) & S Dillon (Driffield) bt L Pilkington (Crosland Heath) & L Edmonds (Meltham) 1 hole; S Robins (Hull) & G Thorp (Hull) lost to J Smith (Halifax) & B Hardcastle (West End) 4&3; A Jackson (Scarborough NC) & J Coyle (Ganstead Park) bt J Bailes (Bradley Hall) & T Williams (Lightcliffe) 2&1; K Smith (Springhead Park) & M Wray (Hull) bt G Bamford (Hebden Bridge) & M Major (Huddersfield).
Singles: Robinson bt Cryer 5&4; C Atkin lost to Marsh 1 hole; Gray bt Calvert 5&4; Hoarang lost to Joyce 1 hole; K Smith lost to J Smith 5&4; Dillon lost to Edmonds 2&1; Jackson halved with Pilkington; Robins lost to Bamford 3&2; Wray lost to Williams 3&2; Atkin bt Hardcastle 3&1; Coyle bt Bailes 3&1; Thorp lost to Major 3&1.
Order of Merit: 16 - Nick Marsh (Lightcliffe), Ryan Joyce (Huddersfield); 13 - Jamie Smith (Halifax); 10 - Luke Edmonds (Meltham); 9 - Adam Cryer (Woodsome Hall), Brad Hardcastle (West End).
