With a squad of five to choose from, the unfortunate George Branch was the one to miss out but he stayed on to support the lads throughout the day.

Lewis Howell set the tone for his performance with an excellent tee shot and the other three players, Tom Calvert, Ali Butters and Tom Brancker followed suit with only one losing the first hole.

Willow Valley soon got on top with Howell two up early on, Calvert racing into a four up lead and, after a shaky start, Butters winning the third and fourth holes to level his match. Brancker swapped holes early on before things took a dramatic turn.

Howell kept his opponent at bay with an excellent birdie at the short sixth hole to remain two up, Calvert exchanged holes to remain three up while Butters went a couple down before drawing level again by the turn.

Brancker was putting on a marvellous show and went on a run of six straight holes to be six up at the turn.

Howell continued where he left off and halfed his way through the back nine before an excellent 10 footer at the tricky 16th gave him victory by a margin of 3 & 2

Calvert was one up playing the 18th and hit a superb tee shot to make par for a oneup victory and a 4-0 lead for the team

Butters approached the 18th on level terms with his opponent. Two good tee shots left them both level in the fairway and when both players just missed the green it was down to a chipping contest for the two points.

Butters faced a tough downhill shot and left it 10 feet away then missed the putt to give the Meltham youngster a chance.

However, he was unable to capitalise, a missed six foot putt giving Butters the half required to give Valley victory.

Brancker managed to stand up to an excellent comeback from his lower handicapped opponent who birdied both par five's on the back nine and despite being one down on the last also halved the match.

They now go on to represent the Huddersfield & Halifax Union in the regional qualifier at Cookridge Hall on October 7.

Howell plays in the Scratch singles final at Halifax on Sunday over 36 holes teeing off at 10.15am

Howell and Tom Calvert also represent the club in the foursomes final against Crosland Heath on September 21 at Bradley Hall, also over 36 holes and again teeing off at 10.15am

THERE were contrasting fortunes last Sunday as issues surrounding promotion and relegation were settled in the Lawrence Batley Handicap League.

Marsden were celebrating after clinching promotion to Division Three following their 5-3 victory over Queensbury.

It was a different story for Longley Park, who lost their crunch clash with Todmorden 5-3 and were relegated from Division Four while the victors were reprieved.

Meanwhile, Meltham lost their Division Two status after suffering defeat in a sudden death play-off with Bradley Hall who avoided the drop.