YORKSHIRE Ladies have regained the County Championship title after decisively beating the North Midlands by almost 40 points, with both legs being played on the neutral green at Bridgwater BC, Whitchurch.

Local representatives Viv Abell and Sharon Gadd had mixed fortunes, with Gadd winning 21-18 in her match.

Richard Hargreaves of Cross Roads reached the last 32 of the Waterloo Sweeps Handicap only to lose 21-18 to ‘Waterloo specialist’ Mike Leach of Blackpool and just miss out on the televised stages.

Nearer home, the Worth Valley End of Season Doubles was played at Keighley BC where the weather once again spoiled the closing stages. The final was played off revised marks to ensure an early completion.

There was a mixture of bowling on the difficult surface where it could be said the best players were the band practising in the adjoining rugby ground!

The deserved winners were Settle pair David Leeming and Graeme Ralph, who comfortably defeated past winner Steve Griffiths of Denholme and his partner Jamie Jackson 21-12.

Losing in the semis were Stephen Lloyd and Bev Guffick of Lund Park and Trevor Hargreaves and Craig Wilkins of Cross Roads. Also in the money were Bill Duckworth and Hazel Cartwright, Warren and Oliver Burnett, Stephen Pickles and Mick Cook and organiser Mick Demain and Paul McHale.

The recent Yorkshire Parks Veteran Doubles were completed at Baildon where the narrow winners were Mick and Rod Bastow of Ilkley BC, who beat Mick Swareck of Oxenhope and John Sharp of Ripponden. However, Mick and John were soon back on the winning trail when they deservedly won the Hebden Royd Vets Doubles at Ripponden in familiar surroundings.

Despite being relegated from Halifax League Division One, Oxenhope kept their top status in the Veterans League after a good away win at Greenroyd.

Saturday sees concluding matches in the Aire-Wharfe League where local sides have not fared well, while poor results in two difficult away games in the top flight of the Bradford League sees Cononley face the drop with one game to go. Gargrave A and Steeton A are the early leaders in the Skipton Floodlit League.

The Old Town Floodlit Pairs Finals on Saturday night sees locals represented by holders, Richard and Neil Hargreaves, and Trevor Hargreaves and Peter Walsh. The start is at 5.30pm.

Saddest news recently are the deaths of Lund Park veteran Les Dowthwaite and Silsden Playing Fields’ Bill Taylor, whose exuberant spirit for his club and their teams will not be forgotten. Condolences to both families at this time.