Durham’s winning Northern Counties League run came to an end with an 11-7 defeat at the hands of Yorkshire at Bishop Auckland.
It looked promising for Durham with a strong showing in the foursomes, which they won 4-2 thanks to victories from Thomas Harbord and Ryan Dixon, Chris Handy and Will Skipp, and John Kennedy and Martin McCririck.
Durham’s fortunes changed with a strong Yorkshire performance in the singles as only Jamie Birkbeck and Adam Charlton were able to pick up half a point each from the top five singles. Durham’s only winner in the singles was Will Skipp, while John Kennedy and Martin McCririck picked up halves as Yorkshire took the singles 9-3.
Meanwhile, Cumbria beat Northumberland at Hexham 9.5-8.5. Close House-based teenager Jamie Mann won both his foursomes (alongside John Metcalfe) and singles matches, as the match came down to the final hole with Seascale’s Craig Morrow securing a half point to give Cumbria the win.
Elsewhere, Lancashire beat Cheshire 9.5-8.5 at Prestbury in a shortened match comprising only singles play, and Yorkshire beat Cheshire 12.5-5.5 at Cleveland.