STEVE Robinson's return to form after a serious back injury continued in fine style for him to lift aloft the York Open Scratch Championship crown.

The Malton and Norton professional headed a field of the top players across North Yorkshire defying heavy rain that swept through the afternoon round of the event held at Forest Park GC.

Robinson set the pace in the first round where he fired a superb two-under par 70, which, coupled with his level par afternoon score of 72, put him two shots ahead of his nearest rival, Martin Brown of Pike Hills GC, who carded rounds of 71 and 73.

One of the most promising performances of the day came from Boothferry Park GC junior Wayne Strutt. Playing off a handicap of five his sterling round of 71 was married to an afternoon 76 for a 147 total that yielded third place on count-back ahead of The York's David Holder (75 72). Also on 147 was Fulford GC's Kevin Miller (74 73).

The prizes for best gross scores went to Kirkbymoorside professional Chris Tyson (morning) and Fulford's Richard Cass (afternoon).

Championship winner Robinson meanwhile has finished in a creditable 38th place in the north region PGA Order of Merit, despite just missing out on the cash prizes in the final qualifying event, the DeVere Hotels north region championship at Blackpool's Heron's Reach.

Best placed in the Order of Merit out of the North Yorkshire contingent was Knaresborough's Gary Vickers, though he had to take a back seat in the event at Heron's Reach to his assistant Andrew Turner.

Turner finished in joint 29th at the Blackpool circuit after rounds of 68 73 and 76, with Vickers four shots adrift after his opening round 67 was ruined by rounds of 76 and 78.

But that 49th placing enabled the Knaresborough pro' to seal an impressive 25th finish overall in the northern Order of Merit, just one place adrift of former Heworth professional Neil Cheetham.

Pannal's Dave Padgett was 41st in the merit rankings, which were headed by Michael Nesbit of Maften Hall.

PIKE Hills GC are celebrating a title success.

The club's 5-3 away-day triumph at Heworth has given them an unassailable nine-point lead with only one round of ten matches still to play in the York Union of Golf Clubs' Scratch League.

The final game for Pike Hills should also accrue more points as they are against The York, who, along with Heworth, are deep in the relegation zone.

The chase for the second division crown and two promotion places remains wide open with three clubs within two points of each other.

In the final round of matches joint leaders Easingwold and Scarthingwell - tied on 44 points - play each other, while third-placed Malton and Norton, who have 42 points, are at bottom club Forest Park.

YOUTH had a fine fling for Fulford GC, who were narrowly edged out of first place in the Yorkshire Union first division team championship at the Moortown circuit.

The oldest player in the Fulford ranks was aged just 21, but the precocious team of club champion Ian Simpson (aged 18), Neil Smith (21), Steve Mitchell (21) and James Mason (19) showed a splendid maturity to finish joint runners-up to Hull in the 36-hole championship contested by the top 18 teams in the county.

It was a stunning turnaround from a year ago when they were relegated to the second division, from where they clambered just three weeks ago at Teesside GC.

TITLE deeds were literally snapped up by Chris and Iona Buckle.

The Kilnwick Percy GC mainstays have hosted the Buckle Couple Cup for the last four years. But for the first time they actually won it.

In an event newly changed to a betterball strokeplay format but unfortunately trimmed to 15 holes due to non-stop downpours, the Buckle duo posted a superb nett 54.

Second place went to Rob and Debbie Davison with a nett 57 ahead of Carol and David Kilford, who were third on count-back from Viv and Alan Howson, also on nett 59.

Kilnwick Percy's ladies meanwhile beat hosts Cave Castle, while the seniors enjoyed a narrow success over visitors Drax.

SWALLOW Hall GC is the venue for the next event in York Wasps' stalwart Alan Pallister's testimonial.

Pally's golf day will be at the Wheldrake-based course on Friday, September 7 when teams of four will tackle 18 holes of golf, playing a -handicap stableford format, followed by a buffet.

There will also be prizes for longest drive and nearest the pin.

The cost of entry is £80 per team and any teams interested should send a cheque made payable to 'Alan Pallister Testimonial'. Details of a time that they wish to play - last tee-off is 2.45pm - plus the names of the four players, plus handicaps, telephone number for the designated team captain and the team's name should be sent, with the cheque, to Michael Chatten, Golf Event, 40 Oakland Avenue, Stockton Lane, York, YO31 1BY.

Inquiries to 07703 344 306 after 6.30pm on weekdays, or any time at weekends.

Anyone, playing golf or not, wishing to donate a raffle prize can send to the above address or ring the above numbers.

FULFORD GC's interest rate has stepped up with the appointment of retired bank manager Ian Mackland as their new general manager to succeed Ron Bramley, who has taken up a post in Cyprus.

Mackland, aged 55, has recently been working as secretary and treasurer at Garforth GC and was formerly secretary-manager at Woodhall Hills in Bradford. A 13-handicapper, he formerly played at Temple Newsam before joining Halifax GC.

JESSICA Lewis won Fulford GC's August medal on count-back after her two-under-par round of 72 was matched by Marianne Miller, Kath Stubbs and ladies' captain Judy Jones.

However, Jones was back on the winner's rostrum when she won the Jubilee Jug with a par 74, also thanks to a better inward half, than Margaret Burton.

KIRKBYMOORSIDE GC's Herbert Cook Trophy in the Rabbit's Captain's Day was won by Trevor Shields with 45 points on a back-nine count-back from Nat Skelton. Third was Ian Lealman on 44.

Nearest the pin was Martin Woof with the longest drive going to Tony Dobson. Bernard Foster had the best gross score of 80. The ladies nine-hole stableford was won by Mary Johnson on 21 points.

JAMES Mason, the 19-year-old Fulford GC player, was runner-up to Richard Hollins (Sand Moor) in the Oakdale Acorn open tournament at Harrogate.

Mason, winner of the Hawksworth Trophy and runner-up in the Nelson Grimshaw tournament this year, shot rounds of 72 and 70 to finish three behind Hollins.

KING of Hornsea for a day was Pike Hills GC member Terry King.

He had a hole in one in the Toft Green Golf Society's event at Hornsea. King won with 34 stableford points from Doug Martin (Fulford) on 33 and Steve Herridge (Forest of Galtres) on 32.

PANNAL GC's Peter Lupton won the 16+ handicap section in the Northern Counties Tournament at Lymm GC after totalling 93-20-73.

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, August 18, 2001