Golf: Baildon start the defence of their Bradford Scratch League title tomorrow confident they are even better prepared to lead the way again.

Captain Mark Ramsden fields his strongest line-up for the opening match of the season at home to Silsden, and says: "We have a stronger squad than last year."

T&A Trophy winner Ian Martin, Matthew Roche, Chris Hargreaves and David Beever will be in action tomorrow, but waiting in the wings for his first Scratch League chance is Bradford boys champion Tom Gooding.

"I have high hopes for Tom this season," added Ramsden. "He is playing in our team in the Yorkshire Foursomes at Woodsome Hall on Saturday, and will be in one of our two teams in the Bradford 36-hole Four-somes at West Bowling on Sunday.

"We also have Dan Teece ready to make his debut. He is down to three-handicap now. Gary Wood and Sean Wright complete a strong squad for us."

Baildon only just edged out West Bradford by a point in 1998, and Ramsden expects them to provide the stiffest challenge again.

Cleckheaton, having acquired Bradford Union player Gareth Evans from South Bradford, are also hoping to improve on third place last year.

Opening day fixtures:

Bradford Scratch League - Division One: Baildon v Silsden, West Bradford v Northcliffe, Cleckheaton v Keigh-ley. Division Two: Bingley St Ives v Calverley, Skipton v Fulneck, Bradford v Bradford Moor.

West Bradford's Darryl Berry is unable to renew his partnership with Mark Evans to defend their 36-hole Foursomes Strokeplay championship at West Bowling on Sunday.

Instead he will be lining up in the York-shire men's team for their annual challenge match against the ladies at Pannal. Evans will partner Bradford Open champion Paul Thomas instead.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.