A jubilant Meltham celebrated yesterday after their golf club won The Jack Sykes Trophy for the second year running as they successfully defended the HHDUGC Handicap Team Championship at a howling Saddleworth Golf Club.

Strong winds made the Oldham based golf course virtually unplayable at times as the scoring soared and the CSS deemed the competition as a 'reductions only' event. However, Meltham dug deep in the tough conditions and triumphed on a card count back after equalling Huddersfield Golf Club's total of 357 in the four-man team event where all scores count. Todmorden finsihed in third position six strokes back but two ahead of Hanging Heaton in fourth

Each club in the union is represented by a team and must have one player of not less than 8 handicap, one player of not less than 10 handicap, one player of not less than 12 handicap and one player of not less than 14 handicap. All gross scores then count with the lowest accumulative total winning.

Three of the quartet that won last year at West End Golf Club were present again this year. Steven Whiteley, fresh from his recent win in the Wednesday Society and brother of the tournaments sponsor Robert, fired a gross 80 which also won him the best individual nett prize. Andrew Steel and Martin Butterworth scored 87 and 96 respectively as they had the winning feeling again. The fourth member of the squad, who did not play last year replacing Dave Buckley, was Andrew Hirst who posted a 94.


Leading Scores (gross):
Meltham 357:
Steven Whiteley 80, Andrew Steel 87, Andrew Hirst 94, Martin Butterworth 96

Huddersfield 357:
Robert Hall 83, Charles Burke 84, Melvyn Bedford 88, Andy Johnson 102

Todmorden 363:
Rod Hunt 85, Roy Holland 86, Mike Sunderland 88, Stephen Hughs 104

Hanging Heaton 365:
Sam Heatherington 87, Richard Spurr 89, Anthony Coe 92, Hadyn Bradbury 97

Castlefields 370:
Ryan Joyce 83, Bernard Joyce 91, Richard Badrock 96, Adrian Holroyde 100

West End (Halifax) 373
Queensbury 375
Halifax Bradley Hall 379
Halifax 379
Marsden 381
Crow Nest Park 382
Elland 386
Woodsome Hall 386
Lightcliffe 386
Crosland Heath 389
Dewsbury District 389
Outlane 390
Hebden Bridge 395
Ryburn 414
Longley Park NR
Saddleworth NR
Willow Valley NR