LEEDS lack two top players as the Yorkshire Inter-Union League goes into the melting pot on Sunday when the title chase could be thrown wide open.
Leeds bid to break the winning run of leaders Sheffield at Moortown while Bradford can boost their standing at the expense of York.
Halifax-Huddersfield visit East Riding and Harrogate go to Teesside.
Leeds have two enforced changes due to holi
days – Yorkshire Amateur champion Richard Law, from Low Laithes, and Garforth's Ashley Smith are missing.
They are replaced by Howley Hall youngster Luke Maguire and Horsforth's John Pearson, back from a long injury lay off.
Leeds: D Appleyard (South Leeds), A Wiltshire (Pontefract), M Armitage (Howley Hall), A King (Garforth), S Coumbe (Pontefract), S Hartley (Low Laithes), S Cain (Scarcroft), J Pearson (Horsforth), J Skirrow (Sand Moor), L Morrisroe (Howley Hall), L Cooper(Headingley), L Maguire (Howley Hall).
Meanwhile, Mark Henderson, from Wales, made a late charge at Knaresborough to deny a Yorkshire duo top spot in the North Region qualifier of the Powerade PGA Assistants' Championship.
His run to a one-under par 71 relegated Selby's Ben Field and Chris Green, from Cleckheaton, along with Chris Mathews (Salmesbury), and Paul Fiddes (Matfen Hall) into a share of second place on level par. But they will still be challenging holder Jon Lupton (Middlesbrough) for the title.
With 19 places available for August's finale at The London Club, the onus on a rain-hit, testing day was on qualifying for a championship which has a £5,000 first prize.
Leading scores: 71 – M Henderson (Royal St David's). 72 – B Field (Selby), C Mathews (Samlesbury), C Green (Cleckheaton), P Fiddes (Matfen Hall).
Other qualifiers included: 73 – J Kelly (West Bradford), P O'Donnell (Cookridge Hall). 74 – A Cranston (Willow Valley), M Lord (Kilnwick Percy), F Kelley (Malton & Norton).
Finally, Steve Uzzell, the English stroke-play champion from Hornsea, will be an England representative in the Russian Amateur in Moscow on July 17-20.
The Yorkshire left-hander is just back from helping England to second place in the European Team championship in Italy.
Leeds Scratch League: Division 1: Howley Hall 6, Garforth 0; Pontefract 4, Moortown 2; South Leeds 4, Wakefield 2.
Division 2: Horsforth v Cookridge Hall, postponed; Temple Newsam 4, Leeds 2.
Division 3: Low Laithes 4, Headingley 2; Sand Moor v Mid Yorkshire, Scarcroft v Wetherby, postponed.
Division 4: Barnsley 6, Waterton Park 0; Gotts Park 3, City of Wakefield 3; Roundhay v Middleton Park, postponed.
Ends
The full article contains 420 words and appears in EP Leeds First & County newspaper.
