Bradford got their Yorkshire Inter-District League season off to a flying start with a nail-biting win over rivals Leeds at Bingley St Ives.

Despite victories for Will Whiteoak and Nigel Colbeck, as well as Terry Brushwood and Mark Evans in the opening two matches, Tim Wade’s men trailed 7-5 after the foursomes.

But after Brushwood lost the opening singles match against Simon Coumbe 6&5, T&A Golfer of the Year Whiteoak’s 2&1 victory over Chris Nichol put the home side on the way to five straight wins.

Three consecutive defeats for Calum Hey, Mark Evans and George Grant meant that it was all to play for in the final three matches.

However, Ben Cheetham birdied the 17th to go one up and then halved the 18th, while Jack Laybourne also held his nerve to halve the last and secure the win.

Captain Tim Wade was delighted with his team in their opening match of the campaign and hopes that it can get them on the way to improving on last year’s fourth-placed finish.

“This was a tremendous singles performance and one which the players should be proud of,” said Wade.

“After the heavy rain of the previous day, the course was in excellent condition. Special thanks must go to the greens staff for all the hard work that they had put in to make the course playable.

“Our first match of Will and Nigel were always in control, while Terry and Mark then played superbly to win 6&4.

“We then should have won the next three matches after being in front in all of them. But instead of going into lunch 10-2 ahead, we found ourselves 7-5 behind.

“The singles got off to a bad start with Terry but we then won the next five.

“With a winning start we can look forward to the season with a more positive attitude than last year.”

YORKSHIRE INTER-DISTRICT LEAGUE

Bradford 19, Leeds 17 (at Bingley St Ives) – Foursomes (5-7): Will Whiteoak & Nigel Colbeck bt Simon Coumbe & Mark Griffiths 2&1, Terry Brushwood & Mark Evans bt Chris Nichol & Andy Stringer 6&4, Richard Wheatley & Chris Green lost to Chris Ramsey & Rob Wardle 2&1, Matthew Atter & Calum Hey halved with Damian Simpson & Olly Wood, Ben Cheetham & Jack Laybourne lost to Alex Webster & Jake Rhodes 1up, George Grant & James Flesher lost to Matt Brighton & Barry Hardcastle 1up.

Singles (14-10): T Brushwood (Bingley St Ives) lost to S Coumbe 4&3, W Whiteoak (Bingley St Ives) bt C Nichol 2&1, N Colbeck (Cleckheaton) bt M Griffiths 4&3, M Atter (Woodhall Hills) bt C Ramsey 2&1, R Wheatley (Bingley St Ives) bt A Stringer 1up, C Green (Cleckheaton) bt R Wardle 4&3, C Hey (Keighley) lost to D Simpson 4&3, M Evans (Bingley St Ives) lost to O Wood 2&1, G Grant (Skipton) lost to A Webster 1up, B Cheetham (South Bradford) bt M Brighton 1up, J Laybourne (Bingley St Ives) bt J Rhodes 1up, J Flesher (Bradford) lost to B Hardcastle 2&1.