BRADFORD won all of the first six singles matches to come from behind and claim an impressive opening Yorkshire Inter-District League win over Harrogate against Pannal.

Having made a poor start last season, skipper Tim Wade had emphasised the importance of getting off to a flier at a venue where they had enjoyed success two years ago.

But things did not look good at the halfway mark as the visitors trailed 8-4 following the morning foursomes.

However, Bradford came storming out of the blocks after lunch, winning the singles 17-7 to claim a 21-15 overall triumph.

Wade was thrilled by the resilience of his squad, who showed the same character that saw them finish last season well.

He said: "Our fighting spirit showed as we won the first six singles, which is something I can’t

remember in all my years of involvement with the Union.

"It was a good result for our first match and will give us confidence for the rest of the season."

South Bradford's Jack Hall and Andy Busfield came in following the withdrawals of James Darcy and Jamie Mountain. The pair justified their inclusion by remaining unbeaten and provided some cheer in an otherwise disappointing foursomes session.

Hall and partner Martin Gaffney chipped and putted for a win on the last after their opponents Allan Yuill and Eddie Shoard had three-putted.

And Busfield – who was presented with his Union colours before the match – teamed up with Rob Malloy for Bradford's only other morning win.

But it was a different story in the afternoon as Terry Brushwood, Nigel Colbeck, Dane Bairstow, Rob Hillas, Jack Laybourne and Chris Howe put Bradford in control of the singles. Gaffney and Hall also won, while Busfield claimed a battling half after being two down with two to play, sinking a birdie on the last.

Bradford now face two consecutive home games, with East Riding at Woodhall Hills up next on June 14.

Result – Harrogate 15, Bradford 21 (at Pannal): Foursomes (8-4): Josh Bassitt & Steven Whitwham beat Nigel Colbeck & Rob Hillas by 2 holes, James Gaskell & Chris Atkins beat Terry Brushwood & Dane Bairstow by 1 hole, Phil Kitching & Neil Walker beat Jack Laybourne & Henry Tetley 2&1, Curtis Wilding & Chris Henderson beat Chris Howe & J D Hussain by 1 hole, Allan Yuill & Eddie Shoard lost to Martin Gaffney & Jack Hall by 1 hole, Sean Naylor & Glen Ient lost to Andy Busfield & Rob Malloy 3&1. Singles (7-17): Bassitt lost to Brushwood (Bingley St Ives) 3&2, Kitching lost to Colbeck (Cleckheaton) by 2 holes, Atkins lost to Bairstow (Bingley St Ives) 3&2, Whitwham lost to Hillas (Shipley) by 2 holes, Gaskell lost to Laybourne (Bingley St Ives) 8&6, Wilding lost to Howe (Northcliffe) 3&1, Henderson beat Hussain (Northcliffe) 2&1, Walker lost to Gaffney (Cleckheaton) 2&1, Yuill beat Tetley (Bingley St Ives) 7&6, Naylor h/w Busfield (South Bradford), Ient lost to Hall (South Bradford) 5&4, Shoard beat Malloy (Northcliffe) 3&2.

Other results: Halifax-Huddersfield 20, East Riding 16 (at Meltham); Sheffield 20, Leeds 16 (at Silkstone); York 25 Teesside 11 (at Pike Hills)