Yorkshire Inter District Union: York v Bradford

Holiday and work commitments plus alternative golfing lures leave the champions playing below the strength which saw them win all seven matches last year to win the title.

But Chilton – who hopes not to be called into action – believes his young side have the capability to put up an effective showing especially with eight of the team being members at Fulford, which stages Sunday’s match.

The Scottish Youths’ and Scottish Boys’ championships, club championships, the Tillman Trophy and the Dundonald Links Individual Open are among the events preferred by some players to facing Bradford.

But Chilton remains upbeat, saying: “With eight Fulford players in the team I obviously fancy our chances a little bit more than I did last time (a 25-11 defeat away to leaders Halifax-Huddersfield).

“But it’s all about what happens on the day. We’ll have to wait and see.”

Bradford captain Tim Wade says his men “snatched victory from the jaws of defeat” when they got the better of Leeds 19-17 at Keighley.

“Martin Gaffney holed from 10ft on the last green when they were all flat and their lad three-putted,” he said of a pivotal match, “but that’s how things go sometimes.

“We did well in the morning, were 8-4 up from the foursomes and won three of the first six singles, halving two and losing one, but then won only one more.”

Bradford will include a player in form in Northcliffe’s Mark Cook, the new Bradford Open champion, who played against East Riding in the opening fixture. Nigel Colbeck (Cleckheaton) and Rob Hillas (Shipley) also return.