Yorkshire golf: Dawn Clegg's White Rose team battle back to get bid for title up and running

Yorkshire's winners celebrate after victory over Durham.

The first two foursomes matches went Durham’s way.

Holly Morgan (Hallamshire) and Alison Knowles, of Hickleton, went down 2&1.

Selby’s Megan Garland, who lifted the Yorkshire championship at Huddersfield in May, and Curtis Cup player Rochelle Morris (Woodsome Hall) appeared to be the White Rose’s strongest pairing on paper, but went down by the same margin.

However, Lightcliffe’s Hannah Holden and Cleckheaton’s Megan Clarke, the Yorkshire girls’ title holder, produced a much-needed 3&2 victory in the anchor match to leave Dawn Clegg’s team facing just a one-point deficit at lunch.

Yorkshire’s determination was clear as their first two players brought home singles wins, Garland 2 up and Morgan 4&3.

However, Durham gained parity when Alex Stevenson secured a 2&1 victory over Morris, whose competent play from tee to green was betrayed by a cold putter.

Equality did not last long as Yorkshire’s strength in depth showed itself, with Clarke delivering a 2&1 victory and Knowles winning by an overwhelming 7&6 to secure the match points.

Welsh international Megan Lockett, last year’s Yorkshire champion from Huddersfield, was a 3&1 victor in the bottom game to complete the win.

In the other matches, Cheshire defeated Northumberland 8-1 while holders Lancashire triumhed 7-2 against Cumbria.

Yorkshire face Northumberland today, Cheshire tomorrow, Lancashire on Thursday and Cumbria on Friday.