Harrogate 16 - 20 East Riding
Ripon City Golf Club
Sunday 8th June, 2025
Hornsea big guns Steve Uzzell and Jack Maxey made their season debuts and got the team off to a flying start with a consumate 4&2 win in the top foursomes. The morning's only other winners were Paul Wray and Steve Dale who prevailed 5&4 at the immaculate, but tricky Ripon City Golf Club.
In match 2, Tom Duck and Jonny Fisher (pictured below) lost on the last green, whilst in the match behind, Matty Raybould and Tom Brown were a bit out of sorts and succumbed 4&3. The youngest and oldest members of the side were paired in match 5, but Seth Topham and Leigh Gawley lost at the 17th, leaving Tom Benson and George Clark battling to get East Riding level at lunch. Despite chances late on, they lost on the home green to leave Harrogate in charge at 8-4 as the sandwiches were served in the beautiful clubhouse. East Riding had their backs against the wall.
After a disappointing morning, the Rees Brown team talk was an all too familiar one from previous years - get off to a fast start in the singles and get some blue (of the marine variety) on the board early.
The match was tied at 8-8 in double quick time as Uzzell and Maxey raced round to win their matches 3&2 and 1up respectively. Matty Raybould couldn't make it a Hornsea hat-trick, so Harrogate snuck ahead once again. Tom Duck looked odds on to tie things up, but had to settle for a frustrating half. 11-9 to the home team. Jonny Fisher promised to deliver his point and duly did so, beating a fellow Yorkshire Foursomes winner, Henry Croft of Ilkley, on the last. All tied up at 11-11.
Paul Wray of Burstwick impressed at Scarborough last time out and is slowly getting a reputation as the silent assassin. Never flustered, Paul went about his business and delivered his second win of the day by a margin of 3&2. His unbeaten record this season takes him to the top of the Player of the Year standings. East Riding finally had their noses in front, but were still three wins short of the magic 19 points.
Steve Dale was unlucky to lose on the last green, but another silent, but deadly winner emerged on the 16th when Tom Brown drained a 30 footer for birdie to seal his match. Two more wins needed from the last four matches on the course.
Leigh Gawley was 3 down through 11, including a 'lost' ball at the 10th when a club member playing the second hole might have (definitely did) picked up the East Riding drive. Leigh shrugged his shoulders and simply got on with it and never mentioned it again (he did - several times). In the end, he deserved a half which was to prove crucial.
Tom Benson in match 11 struggled early on against Lars Gustavsson, but a sensational up and down from high right of the short 7th (pictured below) ignited a run of 3s around the turn which put the Scarborough man in charge. He held on to win at the 17th, meaning that Seth Topham playing in the match ahead only needed a half to seal the victory for East Riding.
One up with two to play, the Hornsea youngster lost a ball on 17 to leave the match in the balance. A nerveless bomb down the last set up a wedge which nudged in off the cushion. An assured two putt from the front edge of the green (pictured below) sealed the deal for the team - his opponent's three whack meant that Seth ended up taking the full point.
Anchorman George Clark appeared over the hill at 18 to join the celebrations after his late fightback ran out of holes. So a 20-16 victory for East Riding maintains their winning start to the season.
Away matches against Harrogate Union have proved pivotal in East Riding's two recent YIDU League winning years. It is far too early to put this victory in that category, but the 'Revelation at Ripon' might just be talked about in September if the team keep winning.
A big thank you to all at Ripon City - the course was in fantastic condition and the staff in the clubhouse looked after players and officials superbly all day. Stand in Player Support and chief Jaffa Cake supplier John Illingworth buzzed around the course all day as did ERUGC President Dave Greenwood and Edward and Eileen Clark. Thank you as always for your valued support - the team really appreciate it.
Next up is a big clash between last season's YIDU top two. East Riding welcome Halifax & Huddersfield to Driffield Golf Club on Sunday 22 June.
Full fixtures, results and league standings
