A BIT of bowls history was made with the completion of the much-delayed Skipton Merit at the SPF green on Sunday.

Eight players went to post and the winner was the experienced David Scott of Crosshills as he won the event for the second time – 45 years after his first success on the old Glusburn green back in 1969.

Scott qualified for the final by narrowly beating Barry Turnbull 21-20 and then old rival Trevor Hargreaves 21-10.

His opponent in the decider was Ian Bernard of Silsden BC, who swamped title favourite Richard Hargreaves 21-2 in the first match before narrowly defeating team-mate Alan Thornber in the last four.

A close game was expected as Bernard had been the best on the green during the day but Scott soon raced into a 14-8 lead.

His opponent then hit back and stormed into a 20-14 lead, needing just one more point for victory.

But Scott then won a crucial measure and proceeded produce some good corner bowling for a great victory.

He then dashed off to play in an event at Raistrick, where he won his first game but then crashed out 21-4 in the next.

Other finalists at SPF were Mattie Simpson and Graeme Reay.

There was a more sedate setting at Keighley BC as the club hosted the annual Invitation Vets Pairs, which was played in glorious conditions.

There were some close games and great play but not enough to stop last year's winners Derek Seed and Arthur Bruce triumphing again with a 21-7 victory over JD Smith of the home club and Cononley partner Doug Stone.

Losing in the semis were Liz Bland and Carol Uttley and Ted and Harry Barnes.

Keighley won the Hebden Veterans Division Two title at the first attempt.

The Skipton/Valley Juniors lost both their concluding games in the Yorkshire Junior League by the narrowest of margins.

They went down by one point at home to Halifax A and by the same score at Broad Oak against Huddersfield. Andrew Peel, the team's most consistent player, won both matches.

They can now look forward to next season under the leadership of Pauline Lightowler once again.

The Skipton Floodlit League is almost halfway to its completion, with the four sections currently headed by Cononley A, Settle, Crosshills and Lund B.