THE wait was well worth it for Iain Simpson even if it meant a few finger-nails nibbled to the quick.

For the Fulford Golf Club player's last-green vigil ended in a final triumph as his place at the head of the York Amateur Championship leaderboard was confirmed to enable him to carry off the coveted crown.

One-handicapper Simpson was in the clubhouse at the Malton and Norton course only to discover that Pike Hills' Martin Brown was about to play a putt on the last green, which, if holed, would force a play-off. But Brown, also playing off one, missed and so Simpson celebrated his elevation as York Amateur champion in his first year as a player in the York Union of Golf Clubs.

Simpson was a model of consistency over the two rounds. He posted a brace of 74s for a 148 total that shaded Brown (72, 77).

In third place was Neal Smith (Heworth) on 149 (74, 75) on count-back, with Fulford's Steve Dunn fourth on 150 (75, 75).

The leading quartet were joined by the next 12 finishers in qualifying for the match-play championship.

In the YUGC Seward Trophy for junior players The York GC's James Edmondson carded an impressive nett 66 to pip club-mate Michael Stephenson (69) into second place.

Third place went to Adam Ledger (70) from Boothferry GC. Three players tied on 71, but fourth place was decided on count-back in favour of Heworth's Matthew Lord by virtue of a better last nine.

The 15-year-old Edmondson, who hails from Strensall, has only been playing the sport for the past two years, coincidentally since his dad Nick also re-launched his own golf-playing, albeit at Ripon GC.

Edmondson junior could not have been quicker into the groove to dominate the Seward event, which was also played at Malton and Norton GC. He hit a birdie on the opening par-five hole and from then on was able to look back at his pursuers.

The Huntington School pupil netted a major surprise at the presentation. Handing over the gleaming trophy to the jubilant teenager was YUGC president David Crossley, the owner of Forest Park GC, where the next day Edmondson started a fortnight's work experience. Now that's one way to definitely impress the 'boss'.

Simpson is named in the York Union side against the Teesside Union at Forest Park GC tomorrow in a Yorkshire Inter-District Union match.

Examinations rule out the Fulford pair of James Mason and Steve Mitchell, their places being taken by Malton and Norton's James Drinkall and Adrian Lount of Pike Hills.

The York team is: Jim Batt (Heworth), Martin Brown (Pike Hills), Philip Collier (Fulford), James Duckett (Boothferry), Steve Dunn (Fulford), Martin Garland (The Oaks), James Drinkall (Malton and Norton), Adrian Lount (Pike Hills), Jonathan Plaxton (Fulford), Iain Simpson (Fulford), Neil Smith (Heworth), Neil Thompson (Scarthingwell). Reserves: Stephen Harlington, Paul Harlington (both Boothferry).

Updated: 11:19 Saturday, June 09, 2001