LANCASHIRE'S 500th match since the formation of its golf union ended in victory over Yorkshire and the recapture of the Northern Counties League title.

And Blackburn's Tony Jackson, Accrington's Trevor Foster and Nelson's Nick Uttley all played their part.

Jackson won both his foursomes and singles matches while Foster and Uttley triumphed in the foursomes as well but failed to add any further points in the afternoon.

It did not matter as Lancashire took the match by the comfortable margin of 10-7 to make up for last year when they blew a five-point lead from the foursomes to surrender the title at Ganton.

"Everyone is delighted especially after the farce of last year," said Jackson, who played his best golf since winning the Harold Ryden Trophy in 1996.

"Beforehand we knew that the foursomes was the important part.

"And everyone was a little apprehensive after what had happened last season. "We won 17 and 18 to win our foursomes match by two holes which was a great finish.

"Then in the singles I bogeyed the first and played the final 17 holes seven-under-par.

"Everyone was made up, given the events of last year."

Foster came up against a resolute competitor in Brian Mason, a losing semi-finalist in this year's British Amateur Championship.

The Yorkshireman triumphed 7 and 6 but played truly excellent golf.

"That was a bit disappointing, to lose by that, but the day was magnificent," said Foster, head greenkeeper at Accrington and District.

"There was plenty of champagne afterwards and a terrific atmosphere.

"Off the course we are great friends with our Yorkshire rivals.

"On the course, it just happens that we want to tear them to shreds!

"This makes up for last year's disappointment, without a doubt."

Foster is part of the ELGA team to play against Bolton Association at Turton on Sunday, September 14 and the team to play the executive on Friday, September 12.

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