Playing on his home course, Ellison caught non-playing captain Chris Mear's eye with a display of powerful but controlled hitting and looks set to figure in the Union side this term.

But Mear stressed that he was not the only one to impress on a day which proved an excellent workout for the 20 players involved.

It was decided to dispense with the usual Probables v Possibles format and replace that with a straight medal competition at the tough Huddersfield GC which it would be hoped would also provide good grounding for the Inter Union Six Man Team Championships which take place at the Fixby venue later in the season.

And the move proved of great benefit as the trialist squad produced some fine golf despite the breezy conditions.

"It was tough as it was windy and the wet ground meant the ball wasn't running, but there was some very good scoring given those conditions and it was a very useful day," said Mear.

"Andy Shaw and Iain Powell were especially impressive with 71s and they will certainly be figuring, but I was impressed with all the players and happy with the way things went."

Mathew Colcombe's round was perhaps the most striking, as he recovered from a nightmare 10 on the first hole to card a 77, a superb effort given that faltering opening by the Longley Park youngster.

Bradley Hall man Shaw took the honours on the day on a back nine countback over Hebden Bridge man Powell, with Ellison and fellow Fixby man Richard Broadley both carding nice 74s.

Mear now has just over three weeks to ponder his options before the opening Inter Union fixture which sees the Halifax and Huddersfield side take on the Bradford Union at Halifax GC's Ogden course on Sunday, May 18.

Union Trial, full scores

Andy Shaw (Bradley Hall) 71 BB9, Iain Powell (Hebden Bridge) 71, Richard Broadley (Huddersfield) 74, Jarred Ellison (Huddersfield) 74, Steve Sweeney (Halifax) 75, Graham McLean (Meltham) 76, Danny Stocchero (Huddersfield) 76, Mathew Colcombe (Longley Park) 77 after 10 strokes on the first hole, Ben Crowther (Dewsbury District) 78, Aran Schnacke (Huddersfield) 79, Ryan Greenwood (West End) 80, Fraser Scholefield (Huddersfield) 81, Sam Bridges (West End) 81, Mark Birkett (Halifax) 81, Steve Martin (West End) 81, Jake Ramsden (Huddersfield) 81, Jim Fairhurst (Bradley Hall) 82, James Thompson (Meltham) NR.