DAMP conditions did not deter the entries to both the Merit and Handicap Doubles, run by the Worth Valley Bowling Association last Saturday at Silsden PF.

The league held both events on the same day to encourage entries, while it was the first time they had run a competition on a Saturday for many years.

There was a mixture of good and bad bowling in the sticky conditions.

The Merit Doubles were won by Steeton's Martin Loftus and Alan Buckley – their first success of any kind in this league – who defeated past winner Trevor Hargreaves and Stephen Lloyd of Cross Roads 21-10 in the final.

The Handicap Doubles, competed for by first-game Merit losers, was won by league secretary Mick Demain of Craven and Paul McHale of Keighley, who beat Steeton's Jonathan Phillips and Nathan Shaw 21-16.

Next Valley events are the Keighley and Valley Merits at Keighley Bowling Club on Sunday, June 25.

In other competition results at the weekend, Denholme’s Steve Griffiths lost in the Aire-Wharfe Ian Forder Handicap at Baildon, going down 21-12 to Luke Teale of Guiseley, while Sutton’s Andrew Tate, representing Brighouse, reached the Bradford Merit final at Spen Victoria, only to lose narrowly 21-19 to rising star Ashley Southwell (Asa Briggs).

The Skipton veterans' Inter-District team continue their games tomorrow against a very strong Bradford team and will have to be on top form to achieve success.

The home leg at 1.30pm is once again at Cross Hills, while the away team travel to West Bradford.

Settle – the last surviving local team in any Yorkshire ABA event – meet Heckmondwike at Crowghyll Park in the Radley Trophy mixed event, and will have to be on top form to have any chance of victory.

Broughton Road is the venue for the next Aire-Wharfe event on Sunday – the almost-forgotten John Rycroft Trophy, once a major open event in the Skipton area.

The club, who are doing well in Division One, have donated the cup to the local league and action on a magnificent green begins about 9.30am.

On the same day, Yorkshire Ladies meet Mid-Cheshire in the County Championship, with the home leg at Huddersfield's Marsh United.

Sharon Gadd and Viv Abell carry local hopes.