York v HHDUGC

After what was an extremely tight battle, team manager Frank Greaves said his overwhelming feeling was one of relief as they recorded a 20-16 triumph.

The quartet on whom the outcome depended were Huddersfield’s Aron Schnacke and Adam Walker, Saddleworth’s Lee Rowbotham and Mark Birkett, of Halifax, the first two bringing in one-hole wins while the latter pair both tied.

“I did get a bit nervous,” conceded Greaves. “I don’t like dealing in conjecture, but there I was thinking, ‘what a great start to the defence, losing’. Then I thought to myself, ‘what are you talking about? It’s not even over yet.”

His consternation was understandable for the meticulous planner had seen his afternoon singles’ scheduling undermined on two fronts. He had structured and submitted the line-up expecting his side to trail 8-4 after the foursomes, but a late rally saw them tie 6-6. An additional change saw players allowed to start singles combat according to their readiness and not the slated order. 

“The order that I had set, which is on the results sheet, was not the order they went out on the park,” continued Greaves. “It is a strange thing because when you talk to the lads they know the thinking and what we are trying to do. Scott Minto (Hanging Heaton) said something which has resonated. He said, ‘I’m used to following Josh Morton and I was a bit lost’. Josh should have been our first player, but he didn’t get out until the fourth game because he’d played in the last foursomes to finish. It changes your dynamic.”

County player Morton had teamed up with teenager and Huddersfield clubmate Dylan Shaw-Radford to a one-hole win in the foursomes on the latter’s senior debut, Morton’s experience helping to keep things calm when they quickly went two holes behind.

“They eventually got into their stride and they were good to watch,” commented Greaves. “Dylan said he enjoyed it. He obviously didn’t enjoy losing in the afternoon, but he enjoyed the overall experience. He has done particularly well in the juniors, but now he’s in a different field and it will be good for him to learn.”

Three players chalked up victories in both sessions, Schnacke, Walker and Crosland Heath’s Toby Garbutt, who was returning to YIDU action after a 10-year absence during which he was, for a time, professional.

“I asked Toby if he enjoyed it and he said thoroughly, that it was completely different to what he remembers from 10 years ago,” said Greaves, who is delighted to have him back in the union fold.