Sheffield was unable to wrest the Shefton Trophy out of the hands of a strong Bolton team at Doncaster Town Moor on Sunday.

A determined afternoon showing from new Captain Neil Stones's men proved not quite enough to prevent the visitors from a first ever successful defence of the trophy presented in 1985 and played as an annual friendly fixture.

Defeats in the final two morning foursomes games led to a two point deficit at lunchtime, a margin which Ben Brewster reduced to one with an excellent 3&2 win over the experienced Gareth Hastie in the top singles match. When Lindrick's Bailey Gill turned a two hole deficit with six to play into a one hole victory, home hopes were high, but Bolton recorded some large victories in the middle order to leave Sheffield chasing the game. Ian Clarke recorded Sheffield's best result of the afternoon, winning seven of the first eight holes in a 7&5 stroll, but it was not quite enough.

Nevertheless, Captain Neil Stones, pictured below, was encouraged by the resolve of his team. "Bolton fielded a strong team, and we gave them a good, close game," he commented. "It was certainly a good run out for the lads ahead of our fist Inter District league match at Fulford next week."

The task at Fulford is certainly a daunting one, as Sheffield will run into a strong and motivated York team, who will be looking to honour Russ Chilton, their Captain of the last four years, who died suddenly last month. A minute's applause from both teams on the putting green before play is planned as a tribute to one of the great characters of Yorkshire golf when the teams meet this Sunday.