SHEFFIELD HIT TOP SPOT

By Richard Hodgkison

Soft going at Wath did little to prevent Sheffield's best players achieving a comfortable 27 points to nine victory over visitors East Riding on Sunday.

By establishing an 8-4 lead in the morning foursomes, and supplementing that advantage with hefty wins in the first three afternoon singles, Sheffield enjoyed a tension free afternoon. Such was not the case over the border, however, where league leaders York were edged out 19-17 by a Halifax-Huddersfield side at Sandburn Hall

The two results combined to leave Sheffield taking the top spot by virtue of their superior points difference. Captain Neil Stones was enjoying the view from the summit. "We've said ever since our opening day defeat at York that we just had to keep going and put ourselves in position to capitalise should they slip up at any point," he said. "There is still a very long way to go, but it certainly feels good to have matters back in our own hands."

Ben Brewster will head to this week's Tillman Trophy in Sussex in good form - and comparatively rested - needing just 26 holes to win both his matches, combining with Lewis Hollingworth for a 7&6 win in the morning before taking the top singles game 5&4. Home favourite Gary Fullwood was another of the six players to win both his games, as was debutant Kier Stockdale, who cruised past East Riding Captain Andy Woodhead 4&2 in his singles game.

The Captain himself wrapped up proceedings, also recording a 4&2 victory over Hull's Mike Wray, before heading to the clubhouse to receive news that his side were now top of the pile, a development met with the taking of customary refreshment.

"It seems a long four weeks until the next game against Harrogate at a Thirsk," he concluded. "But I guess time passes quickly when you're at the top of the table!"

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