SKIPTON Veterans had to make do with fourth position in this year's Yorkshire ABA Inter-District League after they were beaten 36-20 by a Bradford team that once again finished as runners-up to Huddersfield.

In the home leg at Silsden Playing Fields, Skipton did not bowl too badly but could only manage two winners in Lenny Buxton and Arnie Ripley.

They also battled hard in the away match at Ladyhill, where the three winners were Barry Turnbull, Cliff Taylor and the immaculate Ken Brenkley.

The Worth Valley Veterans' over-60s team have a chance to make amends by finding the 15 points they need in the Federation League, which reaches it’s conclusion at East End Park, Leeds tomorrow.

The team face tricky matches against Leeds A and Leeds C in a last-gasp attempt to reach the finals in Littleborough, Rochdale later in the season. It could be hard work as Leeds still have a chance of success.

Wet weather at the weekend put paid to several events in Yorkshire, including the Skipton Merit Finals at Sutton, which has provisionally been re-scheduled for Sunday, August 24 at a time to be decided.

One event that did go ahead locally was the Hebden Bridge Mixed Pairs at Keighley BC, although it which almost became a farce in the atrocious conditions.

It was left to top host Chris Wilson to make a last-minute alteration as wife June was suffering the affects of a fall.

He teamed up instead with Oakworth’s Liz Bland, herself a past winner, and they defeated Oxenhope’s Brian Haigh and Lorraine Douglas 15-13 to take the prize. Losing in the semi-finals were locals Andrew and Jillian Johnson.

Many Worth Valley League positions have now been sorted out, with the Division One title being regained by Craven at the expense of old rivals Moorside for the seventh time. Relegation faces both Steeton A and Bradshaw A.

Coming up from Division Two are champions Denholme and Haworth, who return to the top flight after a long absence. Whinfield B and Lund B look to be going down.

Steeton B are the worthy champions of League Three, ahead of Highfield, and have a derby to look forward to against their A team next season.

The leagues continue with League Cup ties in each section before their grand finals at Broughton Road on Saturday, September 27. The Veterans' League continues for three more weeks, with all to play for.

The League’s Handicap Doubles are scheduled for Broughton Road on Sunday but no details are available on another busy day.

The Yorkshire ABA’s Inter-District is on Sunday in the Aire-Wharfe area, with Skipton’s team facing both the hosts and a strong Wakefield team in qualifying games at Grove Hill.

In this one-day event, the final is scheduled for Rufford Park in the early evening. The start is 10am.

The Skipton League’s Dick Keighley Handicap was completed at Gargrave last night, so there will be a full report next week.

The Clarkson and Supplementary cups are on Tuesday, with Keighley A meeting Oxenhope at Addingham and Cross Hills A playing Gargrave A at Rolls Royce in the Clarkson, while Oakworth meet Steeton A at Lund Top and Sutton A play Colne Cricket at Whinfield in the Supplementary. Both finals are on Tuesday, August 26.