SKIPTON Veterans recorded their first ever inter-district victory over former champions Huddersfield with a narrow overall score of 29-27 after two legs at Craven and Crosland Moor.

The home side did the damage by having seven out of eight winners in Skipton and were best served by Cliff Taylor, Idris Wade, on another comeback, skipper Derek Seed, Len Buxton and a revitalised Derek Metcalfe of Silsden Playing Fields. It was always going to be difficult away at Crosland Moor, with only David Hemsley having anything to show for his efforts. Their next match is versus Leeds on July 15.

Before then however, the team is back in action in the one-day event for the Hickson Trophy tomorrow when they travel to Sheffield to meet Castleford in their first match at Wadsley House BC, starting at 10am. Eight teams go to post in a popular event.

Skipton Ladies were in action last weekend in the Yorkshire ABA’s inter-district event hosted by West Riding. Despite not being at full strength, they had capable reserves in Faye Ellis and Rebecca Seward who did not let the side down.

In game one at Hanging Heaton, they comfortably beat the hosts by over 30 points despite four losers and with a 21-5 result from Faye. They then beat old rivals Bradford by a similar margin with good wins by Joanne Ellis and Kath Whittaker to reach the semi-finals.

Here they met their nemesis in eventual winners Huddersfield, who proved far too good at Ossett Flying Horse on a green well suited to their team, and went down bravely by almost 50 points despite some close scores.

They had only one winner in Gargrave’s Cath Rushton, who remained unbeaten on the day. The winners disposed of Castleford by a bigger margin in the final.

The Hargreaves Ltd Skipton Summer Doubles were completed on Sunday at Broughton Road, which was once again in great condition. After two close semis, the worthy winners were Barry Turnbull and Billy Cater of Silsden BC, who defeated favourites Chris Wilson and Andrew Tate 15-9. Losing in the semis were Richard and Trevor Hargreaves and Paul Kaye and Bob Jeffreys of Cross Hills.

The Yorkshire ABA team have progressed to the County Championship after a close game with Wales. Phil Dowgill, of Cross Hills, lost narrowly away in Wales in a game played on an artificial surface.

Worth Valley/Skipton Juniors are back in action on Saturday night at Lund Park in the Yorkshire ABA Junior League at 7pm when they are hoping to record their first victory of the season against Heavy Woollen B.

The Valley Merit is scheduled for Craven BC on Sunday, entries permitting. Ring Mick Demain for details.

The Skipton Team KO events have reached the semi-final stage and games tonight feature Devon A v Sutton A at Keighley, Silsden PF A v Gargrave A at Rolls Royce, Cross Hills B v Gargrave C at Steeton and Cononley A v Whinfield A at Silsden PF. Finals are on July 28.