Bradford Union 10 - 26 East Riding Union
Shipley Northcliffe Golf Club
Friday 1st August 2025
The East Riding Juniors arrived at Northcliffe Golf Club for their third match of the 2025 Yorkshire Inter District Union (YIDU) Championship. They also arrived unbeaten and if they are going to challenge Sheffield in a potential title race then a victory here over the Bradford Union was imperative.
Warm sunny conditions were the order of the day with a slight 10 mph to add a bit of interest. Lightening fast greens also made it a challenging day for putting. This was a course that clearly gave a home advantage and none of the East Riding lads had played the course before. Therefore, it was important to play a safe game, especially in the foursomes and not be tempted by the many short drivable par 4’s that were surrounded by hazards, danger and jeopardy. Keeping the ball below the pin on greens with such slope was key to building a platform that would lead to victory.
Today’s hosts were the Bradford Union who are a very good side at the top of the order. But it was an air of disappointment that greeted us as a squad as Team Manager Simon Tabel announced that Bradford could only field 10 players! Extremely disappointing now knowing that having travelled a good distance for the match, four East Riding players wouldn’t play two matches. Team Manager Stuart Russell decided that the only fair way to select was by a draw/ballot. The top four East Riding players however would play both matches and wouldn’t be placed in the ballot. So, it was Cooper Beck and Seth Fairburn that sat out in the morning and both lads accepted this with grace and courtesy. Similarly, the attitude of George Pepper and Luca Boyer was excellent when told they would sit out the singles. Thank you lads.
On to the match. Ewan Mackenzie and George Walker returned for the East Riding following Yorkshire duties. With a number of short par 4’s and very reachable par 5’s Northcliffe offers a few birdies. However, the East Riding knew that birdies would only be a bonus and a more conservative course strategy would prevail on a course that none of the team had played. None more so than on the difficult dogleg first hole over the ravine played from a tiny table top tee (pictured below).
Tactics dictated that all of the East Riding lads would place a mid-iron to the corner of the dog-leg, but Bradford opted for a more aggressive approach and the trees on the left accepted a good few of the Bradford tee shots. The East Riding had to take control of the foursomes and it was imperative to get a win in the first match. However, top pairing Ewan Mackenzie and Seth Topham came up against inspired golf by Benji Saia and a superb putting performance from Kasper Frey who hold a remarkable amount of footage to win the match 2&1.
In match two, very good friends George Walker and Charles Wright played solid foursomes golf against a strong Bradford pairing and teamwork, decisive shot selection and execution ensured that they managed to secure a half on the 18th green. With only one point out of the first two matches, the third pairing of Bobby Beasley and George Pepper really had to deliver something but found themselves one down stood on the 18th tee. The picturesque signature hole at Northcliffe where the golfer has to negotiate three deep bunkers on the left of the green which sits protected by a stream. Under pressure, Bobby Beasley played a solid 8 iron approach directly at the pin. Only a small gust of wind knocked it down and it landed on the upslope at the front of the green. Soft hands and great technique from George Pepper saw his chip gather on the slope and rest just three feet from the hole. Bobby Beasley then calmy holed the putt to win the hole and half the match. A crucial point for the team.
In the last two matches the East Riding were cruising to important wins. In match 4 Alfie Dacey and Luca Boyer played outstanding golf throughout to close out their match 5&3. Excellent ball striking from Luca for the duration of the round and crucial putting from Alfie ensured the lads never looked in trouble. A piercing 300 yard drive from Tom Adcock on the 16th hole was too much for the Bradford pairing who duly hooked it out of bounds to ensure they shook hands with a 3&2 win. Tom and fellow Cave Castle junior Huxley Sawyer's win ensured they would stay tied at the top of the 2025 Player of the Year standings.
The East Riding led 8-4 at lunch.
Between sessions, Team Manager Stuart Russell galvanised the lads and ensured they stuck to the strategy that had been decided in the morning. Safe golf leaving shots of a preferred yardage. This strategy was to pay off as the East Riding totally dominated the singles with solid golf.
Ewan Mackenzie led out the singles and he was up against Bradford’s strongest player Harry Phillips. Harry’s golf was outstanding, and he was well under par when he won 4&3. In match 2, George Walker played excellent golf but again Benji Saia was unflappable for Bradford and he started with 4 birdies! A great fight back from George but he succumbed on the 16th 3&2.
The East Riding then resembled a freight train thundering across the desert demolishing everything in its sight! Wins for the East Riding in every other singles match. Comfortable wins for Seth Topham, Huxley Sawyer, Seth Fairburn, Alfie Dacey and Tom Adcock ensured the East Riding were out of sight. Alfie almost driving the green to close out his match on the 15th hole. Cooper Beck was one down stood on the 13th tee but then turned things around which culminated in a superb nine iron to 15 feet on the 18th to secure a 1 up victory. Bobby Beasley, down after nine holes again showed desire and determination to close out his match 2&1.
The result was 26-10 to the East Riding Union. A good result on a course none of the lads had seen before. Once again, this group of players showed the fight needed to get a good result. The win keeps East Riding's 100% recod. Full resuls and table
It was nice to see a few spectators supporting the boys and a big thank you to the parents and ERUGC President Dave Greenwood whose help and support is invaluable.
Team Manager, Stuart Russell was extremely impressed with the commitment, fight and desire shown by the boys which now leaves us with three wins out of three going into the remaining four fixtures. What makes all the difference with this team is that when their matches are over, they stay out on the course and walk with and support their fellow team mates. It is so good to see.
A big thank you to Northcliffe Golf Club for being wonderful hosts and providing excellent hospitality. The Bradford Executives were very welcoming.
In our next match we host the Sheffield Union at Brough Golf Club on Sunday 10th August. As a squad we know we will have to raise our games to beat a very strong side. But we can do it!
Stuart Russell
Junior Team Manager
