FORMER Yorkshire junior star Robbie Ellis of Skipton Devon came within a whisker of his first major final when he lost 21-20 to David Gwillam of Stockport in the semi-final of the main event at the annual Fleetwood Bowling Festival.

The winner eventually lost to favourite Callum Wraight of Shrewsbury but no doubt Robbie’s first success is just around the corner.

Nearer home, the Worth Valley Handicap was completed at Cross Roads and saw a new name added to the roll of honour in Alden Phillips, of Steeton, who comfortably beat Cathy Rushton, of Craven, 21-14 in blustery conditions. Losing in the semis were Stephen Lloyd of the home club and Warren Burnett Junior of Whinfield.

League president Trevor Hargreaves was on hand to present the prizes.

Things don’t get much better for the Skipton Veterans inter-district team when they suffered a 44-12 defeat to West Riding in their penultimate match.

They did manage three winners in the home leg at Sutton where captain Derek Seed excelled to triumph 21-3. The other two victors were Mick Claxton and David Hemsley, who managed to hang on to win 21-20.

Away at Thongsbridge, the team tried hard but returned empty-handed with no winners. The final match is on August 11 where some pride will hopefully be restored against a struggling Wakefield.

The Skipton Merit is the main competition this weekend and is reduced to a one-day event due to lack of entries. The venue is Alkincotes Park in Colne with an 11am start. All support is welcome.

The Eady Rose Bowl pairs are at Yeadon Park on Sunday in the Aire-Wharfe League.

Cononley are still going well in their first season in the top flight of the Bradford League, despite some in and out results lately, but on Saturday, they are at home to the league leaders and reigning Yorkshire Cup holders Crossgates, which will be a tremendous challenge.

Elsewhere, Cross Roads A remain in fourth place in Halifax League Division One using the controversial 54321 system while Oxenhope remain rock bottom in the same league.

It is a similar story for Cross Roads B in Division Two but Denholme are in a handy position of fifth in the third tier.

All three local sides in the Aire-Wharfe League Division One are struggling in mid-table and below, but at least Craven are heading for promotion from Division Two in the Monday night league.

Meanwhile in the Tuesday Pairs KO event on Tuesdays, Cross Roads A have reached the final, where they will play Baildon B.

Not to be outdone, Addingham have reached the final of the Wednesday Afternoon KO event after a close game decided by the best winner, and they now meet Tarnfield A.

The team remain second in the league, some way behind Grove Hill A.