YORK Union were well beaten by Bradford in their opening Yorkshire Inter-District Union League match at Northcliffe, Shipley.

York, bottom of the table last season, went down 29-7. The only winners on the day were Fulford's Philip Collier and Steve Mitchell, who beat Neil Harker-Bell (Bradford Moor) and David Beever (Baildon) four and three in the morning foursomes.

Neil Thompson (Scarthingwell) and Iain Simpson (Fulford) gained a half, but it was woe all the rest of the way as the other four pairs all lost by big margins.

In the afternoon singles, Collier was again in good form with a half, while Neil Smith (Heworth), Martin Brown (Pike Hills) and Paul Harlington (Boothferry) also gained a share of the spoils.

KILNWICK Percy GC had decided jointly with Bata and Trident Feeds to reschedule its annual Farmers Golf Day for Tuesday, July 3 by which time the current foot and mouth crisis will hopefully have eased.

Many entries are already in for this year's event, whose charity is the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

Richard Craven won the Huxtable Challenge Cup on 42 points, trimming his handicap to 15. William Gowthorpe was second on 40 with Eric Sologub third on count-back from Ben Donkin. Twos were scored by Peter Williamson, Gary Tavender, Rob Bradley and Jordan McNeil.

The Kilnwick Percy rabbits drew their match at Malton and Norton, while the seniors beat Hirst Priory at home 3-2. However, the scratch team lost their match at Ganstead.

In their annual day out the ladies' section enjoyed a fine day at Cherry Burton GC, where Christine Hunter finished first ahead of Iona Buckle in second and Linda Johnson third.

TWENTY-ONE handicapper Graham Hobson won the first Forest of Galtres Golf Club major of the season - the Committee Cup - by two Stableford points from a posse of players carding net 67 to keep the count-back officials busy.

Alistair Nichol (6), club champion a couple of years ago, shot two over par for the lowest gross while Daryl 'Bob' Robinson launched a tremendous longest drive of 292 yards on the uphill finish of the 11th hole.

Trevor Boddison, who usually features in the long challengers, this time took nearest the pin prize on the 16th.

SUE Grant won Allerthorpe Park Lady Captain's Day individual Stableford competition with a total of 39 points after a close finish with Pat Stageman and Linda Ridley. Caroline Lewis won the lowest gross prize.

Martin Anderson, with a nett 59 took first prize in the club's Men's Captain's Day, one shot ahead of Peter Betts. Steve Sutton (71) won the gross prize.

ANNE Everton won Fulford's ladies section's Macmillan Spoon with 38 Stableford points, two ahead of Jenny Hawkins, Pam Withey, Liz Jones and Anne Robinson.

FULFORD's James Mason is second after four rounds in the Yorkshire Amateur Order of Merit. Richard Hollins (Sand Moor) leads on 342 points, with Mason, who earlier this month captured the prestigious Hawksworth Trophy at Bradford GC, on 273.

Former Fulford player Stephen East (Moortown) is eighth on 200.

STEVE Hodgson's score in winning York Squash Club Presidents Day Trophy at Thirsk and Northallerton was 40 stableford points and not as printed in last night's editions of the Evening Press.

Updated: 11:37 Saturday, May 26, 2001