ROSES VICTORY FOR SHEFFIELD

Sheffield brought the Sheffton Trophy back over the hill for the first time since 2014 with an encouraging 11-7 win over Bolton at Chorley on Sunday.

The traditional season opener was played in uncommonly warm weather, and a strong Sheffield side seemed to enjoy playing with the sun on their backs and putting on the excellent greens amid the spectacular scenery.

Debutant Luke Palmowski of Hickleton led off with Matt Evans in the top foursomes and their impressive win set the tone for the day. Jamie Harrison and Ian Clarke were victims of a strong Bolton fightback in the second match, but with Gary Fullwood doing what he does best – holing a clutch putt at the 18^th – to secure a point with his regular partner Tim Brind, and further victories for the Wheatley duo of Joel Cartlidge and Captain Neil Stones, as well as the superannuated sixth pair of Dean Longden and Richard Hodgkinson, the foundations had been set with a 4-2 lunchtime lead.

Victories in each of the top three singles, including a fine performance from Palmowski to overcome the experienced Gareth Hastie, left the result in little doubt. The lower end of the order demonstrated what President John Reynard whimsically referred to as Sheffield’s “experience in depth”. Nevertheless, the age barrier was overcome sufficiently often for the President to accept the splendid crystal trophy from his Bolton counterpart.

“The team for the first league match against Bradford in a fortnight will probably have a younger look to it,” admitted Stones afterwards. “We lost a couple of players to the Lytham Trophy, and a few were playing in the York Rosebowl as well. But the old guys have done the business today.”

The vibrant mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters looks set to give the captain some selection problems in the coming season, but this excellent performance also gives plenty of cause for optimism before Bradford visit Doncaster on Sunday 21^st May.

President John Reynard receives the Sheffton Trophy from the Bolton president Geoff Hulme with his players (L-R): Jamie Harrison (Rotherham), Lee Hopwood (Hickleton), Gary Fullwood (Wath), Joel Cartlidge (Wheatley), Dean Longden (Phoenix), Richard Hodgkinson (Lindrick), Jordan Perry (Phoenix), Matt Evans (Phoenix), Neil Stones (Wheatley), Luke Palmowski (Hickleton) & Team Manager Martin Brewis.

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