KEVIN MILLER, who first played for York Union in the late 1970s, made his 100th appearance for the team in the 24-12 defeat by Sheffield in a Yorkshire Inter-District Union match at York Golf Club, Strensall.

Miller began his union career with a halved match against Michael Holliday (Garforth), then one of England's top amateur players, when York played the Leeds Union.

And he was again on equal terms when he celebrated his 100th appearance against Martin Hayward (Doncaster Town Moor).

Miller has been a leading York player for more than two decades. He won the York Open championship for the first time in 1978 and followed up with victories in 1985, 1994, 1995 and 1997.

He also won the match-play championship in 1978, 1985, 1995 and 1996.

York lost the morning foursomes at Strensall 5-1 (10-2), Fulford player Philip Collier and Steve Mitchell being York's only winners.

But they came back well in the afternoon singles against a team traditionally the best in Yorkshire. Jonathan Plaxton, Martin Brown, Steve Dunn and Neil Thompson all won their matches, while Collier and Miller halved.

Harrogate Union went down 28-8 against Leeds at Ilkley. East Riding lost 14-22 to Bradford at West Bradford and Teesside beat Halifax/Huddersfield 27-9 at Castle Eden.

Sheffield lead the league with a maximum six points from three matches. They are the only team with a 100 per cent record. Then come Bradford 5, Teesside 4, East Riding 4, Leeds 3, York 1, Halifax/Huddersfield 1 and Harrogate 0.