York 23 - 13 East Riding
Sandburn Hall Golf Club
Sunday 7th September, 2025
A few miles north of a famous battle of 1066 (no, not that one), raiders from the East clashed swords with the home team, and sadly the result was the same.
East Riding's YIDU League campaign ended with a disappointing loss to York Union, when even a narrow win would have meant a third title in five years. Some scrappy golf from the hitherto unbeaten visitors and an exceptional display from the fast improving York side meant the title was simply a bridge too far for 2025.
East Riding had to win and win big to overturn Halifax & Huddersfield's lead on 'goal difference' at the top of the league. The other scenario was a defeat for H&H and a draw or better for East Riding which seemed more probable given the big guns who turned out for Sheffield against the league leaders.
The early signs were not good with most of the foursomes pairings down or level at best approaching the turn.
The Hornsea top pair of Steve Uzzell and Matty Raybould succumbed at the 15th, then Aaaron Brettell and Tom Duck gained a gutsy half in match two. Paul Wray and Jack Clark were up against it from the off and fell 4&3, before the youth and experience pairing of Seth Topham and Leigh Gawley combined well again to finally put a couple of Riding points on the board. Sadly those were the last points of the morning as East Riding lost matches 5 and 6 to leave York 9-3 up at lunchtime.
Back to the 'foursomes frailties' of yesteryear, but Team Manager Rees Brown roused the troops at the break with the simple mantra that eight wins from 12 would be enough and then East Riding would have to rely on a favour from Sheffield who were themselves 10-2 up at lunchtime. The 'Sensation at Sandburn' could still happen.
The top order looked in the mood to make it happen, but when the top match (literally) ran into the back of a visiting party on the front nine, things became a bit more pedestrian. Uzzell and Brettell (pictured below) joined forces to make a fourball, as did Raybould and Duck in matches 3 and 4. Not ideal, but the same for both sides.
Steve Uzzell's 100% foursomes record had gone south in the morning and unfortunately his 100% singles record went the same way as he lost on the 17th to the impressive Matt Dolling of Easingwold. Tom Duck at number 4 was well beaten, but Aaron Brettell at 2 came through 3&1 and when Matty Raybould won his last two holes for a memorable 1up victory, the six point deficit remaine, but better news was on the way.
The solid middle order came marching up the back nine and delivered those six points courtesy of wins from Leigh Gawley, Jack Clark and Paul Wray.
Leigh held his nerve on the 18th green (pictured below) to return the only maximum points haul of the day and deservedly top the Player of the Year standings for the first time in his Union career. Matty Raybould finished second nine points adrift with George Clark two points futher back in third.
So the teams were tied at 13-13 with five matches still out there. Where there was life, there was hope.
Sadly, news soon came through that Paul Harper and George Clark were well beaten out 'in the country' meaning that Topham, Brown and Hunt now all had to win. They were all in touch with six holes or so remaining.
Tom had his chances, but a second unmentionable of the back nine at the short last hole cost him the opportunity to nick his match. Seth had been ahead, but let his opponent off the hook at 17 to also lose at the last, leaving a disappointed Lewis to join his teammates at the bridge behind the 18th (pictured top) having lost 2&1.
So 23-13 was actually a lot closer than the score suggests, but East Riding knew they had certainly let another league title slip from their grasp when news came through that Halifax & Huddersfield had only drawn their last match at Dore & Totley. The same happened in 2024 when East Riding lost away at Teesside whilst H&H were drawing. Deja-vu all over again!
Full YIDU results and final standings
Thanks to the York Union and to Sandburn Hall for their hospitality and looking after all players and officials so warmly.
Thoughts turn to the six man Team Championship at Crosland Heath next weekend with the team and manager ruing a 'what might have been' league campaign.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Press Secretary
