SKIPTON Golf Club rubber-stamped their second place position in the Bradford and District Union Junior League Division One when sharing honours with a 3-3 draw at home to Cleckheaton.

The day also saw the Skipton trio of Max Beresford, Harry Ayrton and Ben Topper proudly sporting their new 2017 team kit, again provided courtesy of regular sponsor Scott Janitorial Supplies, of Keighley, through their managing director Keith Airey, who is a long-standing Skipton member.

Beresford had a score to settle with Jack Crowe after the latter’s accomplished display at Cleckheaton earlier in the season. The two handicapper gave Crowe 11 shots and, in top form round the tight Skipton links, the host captain prevailed as a 6 and 5 winner.

Ayrton, off 7 and giving 11 shots to Jamie Green, made life difficult for himself, but put his drive to the edge of the 18th green, which allowed him to win the last and halve his match.

Topper, off 8, gave a heady 20 shots to his opponent Thomas Green, brother to Jamie, and he may be forgiven for failing to make inroads into a lead established over the front nine by Green, who played these holes in eight over gross. The Cleckheaton man ran out a 5 and 3 winner.

In their previous game at home to Bracken Ghyll, Skipton's victory had clinched second place with games in hand.

Captain Beresford again led from the front, giving six shots away to Will Mawson. Playing his customary consistent high level of golf, he went out in level gross, with Mawson doing well to hold on to his opponent before the Skipton man ran out a 2 and 1 winner.

Another Skipton player who was level gross through the front nine was Ayrton, who, off seven, gave a shot to his opponent Findlay Robertson and, in sparkling form, won 5 and 4.

Topper, playing the anchor man’s role off 8, was giving seven shots to Greg Wood and it was the former who prevailed as a 6 and 5 winner, making it a memorable three-timer for the hosts.

Skipton is probably the lowest handicap average in the league and this was a good result against a very useful team. More importantly, these fixtures are always played in a good spirit, as most of the players see one another at Bradford Union events and opens during the season.