Sheffield Union 15 - 21 East Riding Union
Wath Golf Club
Sunday 3rd August 2025
Two years on from a win at Waterfront which went a long way to winning the YIDU league, East Riding returned to South Yorkshire and came away from Wath with the spoils.
Captain Rees Brown gave four season debuts (including himself) and one full debut as Charles Wright of Ganton was brought in from the Junior Team. All settled in to the team seamlessly for this crucial clash against perennial title contenders Sheffield Union, but the result was in the balance until very late in the day.
Six new pairings were required in this new look dozen, but early signs were good when the Hornsea duo of Steve Uzzell and Matty Raybould dominated their foursomes from the off and ran out 5&3 winners.
Paul Wray of Burstwick and debutant Jack Clark of Ganstead didn't quite have the rub of the green and succumbed on the 16th green, before Bridlington's Olly Beckett, fresh from his runner up spot in last week's ER Open, paired up with Burstwick's Lewis Hunt to fight back for a valuable half in match three. Olly holed a smelly three footer at the last to share the spoils (pictured below).
Match four also went up the 18th with its flag perched precariously on the back right shelf. No bother for the young Ganton duo of Seth Topham who split the fairway and debutant Charles Wright who then fired a lob wedge to 15 feet. Seth coaxed one down to an awkward 3 feet and then Charles bolted one into the heart of the hole to win the match after Sheffield saw their par putt slide agonisely by. How apt to show nerves of steel against Sheffield.
The home team then levelled the scores at 5-5 when Hammond and Sykes took down East Riding's most experienced (oldest) pairing of Leigh Gawley and Rees Brown. The Hornsea duo were 2 up early on, but were pegged back around the turn and lost on the 15th.
That left the new rear gunners of George Clark (Hull) and Tom Brown of Ganton, to decide who would have the edge at lunchtime. They gelled superbly over the back nine and pulled ahead to close out the match 3&2.
7-5 to East Riding - a precious lead considering at one point on the back nine Sheffield looked like they might go to lunch with an 8-4 advantage.
Steve Uzzell led the team off and raced around as always to get to the bar first and watch the drama unfold after his consumate 3&2 victory. Five more wins needed for victory.
Sadly though the following four matches drew a blank, save for Jack Clark's gutsy half. 10 - 12 with seven matches still out there in strengthening winds.
Wins were needed quickly - thankfully the middle order came to the party in style. Top Guns Seth (below right) and Charles (below left) continued their morning heroics with 2&1 and 3&1 wins respectively.
Leigh Gawley then ground out his almost obligatory singles victory over Ryan Brewster of Bawtry and goes to the top of the Player of the Year standings just two points ahead of the 100% record of Steve Uzzell.
Ahead to match 10 and Captain Fantastic Rees Brown closed out his match 5&3 to take East riding to the brink of victory with their 18th point. Lewis Hunt battled hard on his return to YIDU golf and was unlucky to lose to an outrageous 30 footer at the short 17th.
With just Tom Brown and George Clark left out there, the What's App group went into overdrive when George went two up at the 15th after his opponent chipped into the pond after airmailing the green at the long par 3. Tom reduced everyone's heart-rates by halving his match and getting East Riding to the magic 19 points, allowing George to find the green safely (pictured below) at the short 17th to put the cherry on top of a tremendous team effort with his 2&1 victory. The support on the course was exemplary as thrilling test cricket and Ladies Golf was on offer on the large TVs in the clubhouse!
Results started to ping through from elsewhere in Yorkshire. Leeds won handsomely against Bradford to stay in touch with the now tied YIDU league leaders East Riding and Halifax & Hudderfield who beat York at Pike Hills. Their margin of victory meant that both teams are still tied at the top with 9 points and their match difference is now exactly the same at +50. You couldn't make it up.
Full results and YIDU standings
All eyes now turn to the Westwood on Sunday 17th August as East Riding welcome Leeds Union to Beverley & East Riding Golf Club. 28 players have played in the five matches already this year, but the strength in the squad is a nice problem for the skipper to have!
Thanks as always to Team Manager Howard Palmer, ERUGC President Dave Greenwood for his support all day and to a couple of the dads who brought the 100% juniors across - it was a nice touch from Sheffield Union to feed them! Finally to all at Wath Golf Club for presenting the course in such excellent condition and looking after players and officials from both teams so warmly in the charming clubhouse.
Jonathan Clark
ERUGC Press Secretary
