THE Worth Valley have won Division Six of the Federation National League despite losing 19-13 overall to runners-up Leeds B.

The locals were on top form in the home leg at Craven, where good wins by Mick Duke, John Parkin and Mick Higson led to a 36-point victory.

It was a different story in the away leg at Rothwell BC where Valley could only manage two winners in Viv Abell and Trevor Hargreaves to lose by 60 points. However, they just did enough.

To reach the Federation’s Champion of Champions at Todmorden on September 28 they must win a play-off against the winners of Division Seven on August 31 against a tough Bolton team.

There was also good news for the Skipton Veterans inter-district team, who made an improved showing against Castleford with a 34-22 overall victory to give themselves a chance of snatching second place.

They only had one loser in the home leg at Silsden Playing Fields in a convincing win led by David Hemsley’s 21-6 success.

Away at Pontefract BC, so often Skipton’s graveyard, they enjoyed a good performance with three winners in the shape of Trevor Hargreaves, Ken Brenkley and Barry Turnbull. Their last game is a must-win clash against Bradford on August 8.

It was a great day in the British Championship at Cleckheaton, where Cross Hills’ Phil Dowgill went out in Round Two.

The Valley’s Federation Over-60s return to East End Park tomorrow to face Halifax (11am), while the Harrison Mixed Pairs take place on Sunday at Craven.

Cross Hills just failed in their attempt to reach the final stages of the Nationwide Super Cup. In the home leg, they had three out of four winners but in the away match against the King and Queen of Warrington, a four-point defeat ended their hopes for this year.

David Scott continued his good run when he qualified for the Brighouse Classic finals.

He then reached the Greenfield Doubles Final with Andrew Tate just losing out to experienced locals in Paul Sutcliffe and Paul Brett 17-21.