Thirsk and Northallerton Golf Club are celebrating a memorable and exciting victory which saw the ladies A team crowned Yorkshire county champions.

The team emerged triumphant at the YLCGA inter club match team handicap championships held at Scarborough South Cliff GC on August 26, beating Shipley 4-3 in the semi-final before defeating Ganton by the same score in the final.

The Thirsk team which won a nail-biting semi-final, played on a very wet morning, was made up of team captain Rosie Page, Hilary Rymer, Karen Skippings, Shirley Christon, Margaret Northrop, Sandra Pearson and Vera Raper.

With the rain finally stopping and the weather looking brighter for the final, Thirsk made two changes with Jill Knight and Gill Benstead coming in for Rosie Page and Shirley Christon.

With supporters of both clubs around the course, it was an afternoon full of pressure and tension. The excitement built up to a crescendo around the 18th green as Thirsk won the fourth, fifth and sixth matches with the last putt to level the score at 3-3.

The spectators erupted into a loud cheer as Margaret Northrop sank a long putt to win the fourth match before Jill Knight and Vera Raper followed suit.

All eyes turned to the 18th fairway where the last pair were walking in and the silence was broken by a noisy ovation when Gill Benstead raised both arms in victory.

The post-match celebrations rounded off a magical day for Thirsk and Northallerton which will live long in the memory.