GREATER experience counted in the first final of the new season as the Skipton Spring Handicap concluded at Lund Park top green under the new lights.

Ken Brenkley of Crosshills won the Jeff Clark Memorial Trophy by defeating top Yorkshire junior Robbie Ellis of Craven 21-19 in a close and exciting game.

Ellis led 19-15 and the match seemed over before Brenkley raised one final effort to 'run-out' and gain the first prize.

Brenkley, who is club coach at Crosshills, seems to have been around a long time and was the deserved winner, having qualified at Devon on Tuesday after three tough games there.

Losing in the semi-finals were former winner Peter Clark and David Brown, while also in the money were Nigel Breadley, Stuart Myers, Steve Wood and Jim Calvert.

League president Alistair Keighley was on hand to present the prizes.

This Sunday sees the first Valley event of the year as the Foster Cup Handicap is run at Highfield, starting at 10.30am. It is sponsored by David Gallagher.

Draw – 10.30am: Chris Hasselby v J Buxton, P McHale v M Claxton, O Burnett v A Walsh, M Baker v K Burnett; 11.15am: L Buxton v C Wortley, C Harrison v C Hasselby, D Seed v K Baker, P Anderson v P Walsh; 11.45am: JD Smith v J Chambers, K Coppen v W Burnett Jnr, M Haley – bye.

The Hebden Bridge League gets under way on Monday with the usual three-division set-up and with two Vets sections.

Cross Roads A will no doubt be somewhere near the top again in Division One but the remaining leagues remain very open.

The second games in the Sunday KO are on Sunday at 10.30am.

The Halifax Veterans' League began yesterday, with Oxenhope the only local representatives, while the Valley/Skipton Juniors kick-off their matches in Yorkshire Junior League Two against Halifax B on Saturday night at Lund Park.