JULIAN TAYLOR produced a fabulous second round 67 as the York Union of Golf Clubs' scratch team came close to winning the Inter-District Union six-man team championship at Bingley St Ives.

The York Golf Club player matched the day's best score at the West Yorkshire course but the Minster city's sextet were edged out for the trophy by four shots by Sheffield.

York's total of 884 saw them easily installed as runners-up - 13 shots clear of Leeds - but Sheffield, who also pipped York to the post in the IDU scratch league, produced a score of 880 to win the day-long 36 hole event.

Pike Hills' Martin Brown shot 77 and 74, The Oaks' James Walker 75 and 73, Fulford duo James Cass and Jamie Miller 73 and 77 and 77 and 74 respectively, Malton & Norton's David Hague fired 70 and 75 and Taylor 72 and 67.

Sheffield were aided by some tremendous scoring by Matt Evans. His 135 two-round total (68 and 67) was the best of the day.

“It really was the difference and he played exceptionally well and took the trophy away as the best player," said York Union of Golf Clubs president Martin Greaves.

“It was a great day once again and all our guys did tremendously well. A lot of them had better scores in the afternoon than in the morning and it just came down to those early scores.

"For a union that only has 13 clubs we have got some tremendous strength in depth across the team and this all stands us in good stead for next year. We are getting stronger and stronger every year.

"We have come second in both the league and the six-man this year and we won the league last year. I do feel that we played some exceptional golf. Next year, in the league, we will play both Halifax and Huddersfield and Sheffield at home after being away this year. It is a difficult challenge when you go there but we took that on and the results have been so close."

Greaves added he was looking forward to the future and the addition next season of some talented juniors who had already made their mark on the senior scene this year.

He explained: "Some of the young lads who have won their games, done a sterling job and played really well - like Ben Plaxton, Matty Heels and Ben Statters, they are the future of the union.

"They will add to the strength that we already have. Jamie Miller is our most experienced player along with Martin Brown and they are here to stay for a good few years yet."