Rook is crowned Yorkshire champion as he sees off Bairstow's challenge at Ganton

Rook and his Sheffield Union team-mate Sam Bairstow, of Hallowes, were the leading qualifiers at the recent English men’s amateur championship.

They carried their stroke play form into the four-round event at Ganton with Rook eventually prevailing by three shots on a total of 285, one over par, following rounds of 70 72 75 68. Bairstow carded 73 72 73 70.

Former Yorkshire Boys’ Order of Merit winner Charlie Thornton (Fulford) went into the final round only two back off Rook after a morning 67, but finished eight adrift of the new champion after closing with a 78.

Rook had led at halfway when the biggest threat appeared likely to come from GB & Ireland and England international David Hague, who was two adrift.

But the malton & Norton man’s challenge was undermined by a third-round 79 and he added a 73 to place fourth having begun with scores of 68 76.

Tied fifth were Moortown’s David Houlding (75 72 77 75) and Meltham’s Tom Hunt (71 76 73 79), four shots in front of Fulford’s James Cass (74 76 72 81), Cookridge Hall’s Adam Frontal (70 79 72 82) and Wakefield’s Scott MacGregor (74 73 73 83).

First-round leader James Swash (Middlesbrough) tied 10th (67 79 77 81).