SKIPTON Veterans returned to much better form in the one-day Hickson Trophy.

In glorious conditions on difficult greens, they excelled by reaching the final itself at Pontefract BC where they were outclassed by a strong Sheffield team. They had only one winner in selector Alistair Keighley, of Gargrave, who remained undefeated on the day.

The memorable day began with a narrow five-point victory over a much-fancied Bradford side at Garforth Recreation where the locals had seven winners over a team that had defeated them easily in previous years.

The surprise victory was cemented at the end by good wins by Alan Downing and Alden Phillips in a great team effort.

The locals stopped at the same venue where they met the hosts, themselves surprise winners over Huddersfield, and with two big wins by Trevor Hargreaves and David Jacques, the result was never really in doubt despite four losers at the end.

The Hebden Bridge Merit began early last Sunday to avoid the World Cup Final at Luddendenfoot and was won again by Richard Helliwell, of Old Town, the former Yorkshire champion, who defeated ‘Jocky’ Wilson, of Keighley BC, 21-15 with Trevor and Richard Hargreaves, of Cross Roads, losing in the semi-finals.

In the Yorkshire ABA team events quarter-finals, Myrtle Park reached the semi-finals of the mixed team event for the Hutchinson Cup with an easy win over Wakefield Thornes at Mirfield Old Bank and now meet league rivals Rufford Park A in an intriguing semi-final on August 4.

Yorkshire Ladies clinched a semi-final place in the County Championship with an easy win over Merseyside highlighted by all winners in the away leg at Pensonby in The Wirral where Sharon Gadd and Viv Abell both excelled. They now meet Shropshire in the semis. on August 19.

Yorkshire Parks have also qualified for the County semis after a narrow win over North Derbyshire and now meet North Staffordshire. Peter Clark was a narrow loser in the away leg.

The main event this weekend is the Yorkshire ABA’s Inter-District event on Sunday held in Harrogate. Skipton are in the draw but no details of the squad have been released. The team have a hard draw been paired with Huddersfield and Halifax.

Leading league positions in the Worth Valley Saturday Leagues see Cross Roads, Lund A and Craven at the top of the three divisions.

Similarly, in the Monday Veteran’s table, leaders in all five divisions are at present Settle A, Steeton A, Gargrave B, Whinfield C and SPF C with all to play for.

The re-arranged Skipton Merit will now be at Broughton Road on July 29. Entries still being taken.

Still in good form, Silsden’s David Scott has qualified for both the Victory Cup Finals at West Melton and the Lindley Classic.