SHEFFIELD SWEEP TO SUCCESS

It was in little doubt – it required a brace of freakish 36-0 results, one for, one against, to deny them – but Sheffield confirmed their seventh Inter-District League title in eight years with yet another comeback win at Ripon City on Sunday.

Hosts Harrogate held a useful 8-4 halfway advantage after a decidedly fresh-faced Sheffield side could win only one of the six morning foursomes, the Phoenix pair of Dean Longden and Brandon Perry surviving a last hole scare to win one up. Mark Woodall, now of Wheatley but previously an East Riding stalwart, teamed up with clubmate Conor Clarke for a creditable half in the second game, and despite something of a mismatch in ages, Josh Berry of Doncaster (14) and Jim Tasker of Hallamshire (somewhat older) returned a highly important point in match six to keep the deficit to four points at the interval.

The task didn’t become any easier when Harrogate took the first two matches of the afternoon singles, but thereafter the mix of experience and youth in Sheffield’s ranks took control. Jamie Harrison, who now falls into the former category, overcame one of Harrogate’s youngsters, Jack Ward, in game three, and the comeback began.

Victories followed for Clarke, impressively over Will Rushworth, and Woodall (courtesy of an outrageous putt at the 17th), and also for Perry and fellow Phoenix youngster Oliver Sullivan. Sitwell’s George Taylor and Berry also prevailed as the youth came to the fore. All that remained was for the greybeards Tasker and Richard Hodgkinson to come wheezing in with more points. Nine wins in the final ten singles saw Sheffield across the line 22-14.

With half the side driving and the other half below the minimum age for drinking, celebrations were muted. But this did little to take the sheen off an outstanding first year for Captain Neil Allen. Seven wins out of seven was due reward for the effort and constant encouragement Allen – more than ably supported by his wife Michelle – has given the team this year, and their broad smiles conveyed a well-earned sense of achievement. The icing on the cake would be for a seventh consecutive triumph in next Sunday’s Team Championship at Knaresborough.

Captain Neil Allen (left) with his victorious Sheffield team at Ripon

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