The Halifax Huddersfield and District Union of Golf Clubs entertained the York Union at Dewsbury District Golf Club on Sunday. The course was in excellent condition but despite being dry the sky was overcast and there was a slight breeze.The first foursomes pairing of Aaron Schnacke & Ben Adamson (pictured) were soon up against it, being 4 holes down after 5 holes, but they fought back and with a birdie on the 17th they drew level. Schnacke then hit an 8 iron to 12 feet on the last but unfortunately Adamson could not convert the putt and the game was halved.
Brad Tupman & Iain Powell struggled throughout their game but managed to stay level with their opponents up to the 17th hole, where an errant tee shot by Powell cost them the hole, they halved the last hole to lose the game by 1 hole.
James Skirrow, who has represented the Leeds Union on numerous occasions, was making his debut for the Halifax/Huddersfield team. He partnered Graham McLean with the standard of golf a little bit up and down, but the experience showed in the end, with a birdie 3 on the 15th hole putting the home lads 2 up. They lost the 16th but a par on 17 was good enough to win the hole and the game 2&1.
Tom Goodair & Adam Cryer soon got in control of their match, despite Goodair having two shanks, and the pairing got to a 4 hole lead. Birdies by the York pairing on the 14th & 15th cut their lead to just two, but a par 3 on the 16th was good enough to win the hole and the game 3&2.
Dave Stafford & Jared Ellison were soon down in their game, going 4 down at one stage, but a gradual fightback got them back into the game. With a birdie on the 15th hole they closed the gap to just 1 hole but the York pairing held on to halve all the remaining holes and win the game by 1 hole.
Mark Hepworth & Ben Crowther were our final pairing, and with both players from the home club, they plotted their way around the course going ahead on the 9th hole then winning the 12th hole to go 2 up. Birdies at 14 and 15 sealed a 4 & 3 victory.
After the foursomes games Halifax/Huddersfield lead 7–5.
The afternoon singles started with Union Matchplay Champion Schnacke playing county player Martin Brown from Pike Hills. The York man started strongly and by the 12th hole was 4 up, but Aaron fought back, and a birdie on the 17th brought him level. They shared the 18th hole in par 3’s for a well earned point for Halifax/Huddersfield.
Goodair was a little out of sorts and lost his game 3 & 2. Adamson fought all the way, and level playing the last hole, hit his tee shot a little bit too well, ending up on the bank at the back of the green. From there he was unable to get up and down to save par and the game.
Powell was 3 down after 9 holes but rallied winning the 15th hole to get back to all square, both players pared their way in to give Halifax/Huddersfield another valuable point.
Skirrow on his debut had three 2’s in his match, a birdie 2 on the 9th, an eagle 2 on the 15th, and then walked onto the 18th tee 1 up. His tee shot pitched past the pin, spun back nearly going in the hole to finish 12 inches from the hole for his third two of the game and a 2 hole win.
McLean battled all the way through his game, getting to 3 up at one stage, but his opponent grinded his way back into the game. McLean made a brilliant up and down on 16 to stay 1 up, then they halved the 17th in par and a solid par 3 on 18 gained Halifax/Huddersfield two more points.
Homeboy Hepworth was promoted up the order and did not disappoint. In a clinical golfing display he disposed of his opponent 6 & 5 as the match began to drift the Halifax/Huddersfield way.
Tupman was not his usual self and uncharacteristically bogied the 17th hole to hand his opponent the game. Ellison fought back from a few early setbacks in his game, he was 2 down after 8 holes, but won the 9th and by the 17th tee he was 1 up. Both players hit the 18th green but unfortunately Jared three-putted and handed his opponent the hole for a halved match. Despite that result it was still one step nearer the match for Halifax/Huddersfield.
Cryer was back to his best, as the 5 foot plus powerhouse played a solid round of golf to win his match 3 & 2. A memorable up and down on the 9th hole helped his cause to a fantastic job well done.
Stafford was always in control of his game, getting an early lead 3 up after 7 holes. Dave played solid golf eventually winning his game to win the match for Halifax/Huddersfield. Crowther finished off the demolition of the York team, all square playing the 15th Ben won the next 3 holes to win his game 3&1.
At the after match meal three of the Halifax/Huddersfield team received their colours for making six appearances; Ben Adamson (Crow Nest Park), Tom Goodair & Adam Cryer (Woodsome Hall). These players are all products of the Halifax/Huddersfield coaching scheme and the future bodes well for Halifax/Huddersfield.
Latest Order of Merit Table:NAME , CLUB , Pld , PtsDave Stafford , Halifax West End , 5 , 24
Iain Powell , Hebden Bridge , 5 , 23
Brad Tupman , Huddersfield , 5 , 22
Ben Adamson , Crow Nest Park , 5 , 22
Tom Goodair , Woodsome Hall , 4 , 19
Ben Crowther , Dewsbury D , 4 , 19
Jamie Bower , Meltham , 4 , 16
Aaron Schnacke , Huddersfield , 5 , 15
Graham McLean , Meltham , 3 , 15
Andy Shaw , Huddersfield , 3 , 12
Jared Ellison , Huddersfield , 3 , 10
Jim Fairhurst , Huddersfield , 2 , 9
Adam Cryer , Woodsome Hall , 2 , 9
Mark Hepworth , Dewsbury District , 2 , 9
Toby Garrett , Crosland Heath , 1 , 8
James Skirrow , Crosland Heath , 1 , 8
Andy Wilford , Huddersfield , 4 , 7
Sam Bridges , Halifax West End , 1 , 4
Mathew Colcombe , Longley Park , 1 , 1
