Yorkshire Challenge: Howley Hall pair Poyner and Bestwick off to flier on Ryder Cup trail

They amassed 47pts at Lindrick to lead by two, five birdies on the way out overwhelming their only blemish, a one-pointer at the seventh.

The duo matched their birdie count on the way back to the clubhouse and for good measure added a four-pointer at the par-4 12th, where Poynter made birdie for a net eagle.

Their nearest challengers are Mark Lee (Sherwood Forest) and Worksop's Peter Whittaker, just two points adrift after a fine 45pt return at Ganton.

They too had one net eagle on their card, courtesy of Lee at Ganton's seventh, the hardest hole on the course. Four birdies on the way out were mirrored by four on the way in, their only one-pointer coming at hole 14.

Two pairings are tied for third – Consett's Aaron Leathley and John Kennedy, and John Macnamara and Richard Pallister of Rudding Park - each accumulating 42 at Lindrick.

Best score of the day at Moortown was provided by Ganton's David Tysall and Paul Gibson, who returned a tally of 41. They had three three-pointers on each nine and a solitary one-pointer.

Each duo is competing for daily prizes, series supremacy and the overall title, won last year by Hessle's Rodney Shimwell and Andrew Greetham.

There are three series, each named after the course on which the pairings begin their journey in pursuit of glory in a competition that has become more popular year-by-year since its inception in 2013.

Lindrick head professional John King was one of the men behind the concept, which was born during a marketing committee meeting looking at ways of attracting players to the three Ryder Cup venues with which the area is blessed.

His former assistant Luke Allen continues to act as the tournament's administrator following his move to join the Peter Cowen Golf Academy.