AFTER a damp start, the weather improved dramatically for the finals of the Donald Varley Memorial Trophy at Silsden BC.

There was some excellent play from all sides in the usual format of two doubles and four singles matches.

The final itself turned out to be a little one-sided as the team of Phil Dowgill, Graeme Reay, Steve Wilkinson and Paul Rooks swept away the challenge of David Smith, Ken Brenkley, John Parkin and Hedley Kettlewell.

This after the runners-up had defeated the holders in round one. Losing in the semis were teams led by Tony Walsh and Barry Turnbull.

The full season gets under way this coming week beginning with a full programme in the Valley Veteran’s League and the Hebden Leagues on Monday.

It will be interesting to see how the new scoring system works for the ‘Vets’ while no doubt Cross Roads will be at the forefront of events in the Hebden set-up.

Silsden Ladies begin their defence of the Yorkshire Ladies Division One title on Tuesday when they travel to Moldgreen Cons in Huddersfield.

The Skipton League begins on Tuesday with Cononley A favourites to win Division One for the seventh time in recent years.

The Wednesday Halifax League has already begun with Oxenhope joining Cross Roads A in the top flight and they will be hoping to remain there after their last visit. Cross Roads B and Denholme remain in Divisions Two and Three respectively.

Oxenhope also continue in the Aire-Wharfe Leagues along with Skipton Devon in the top section while Sutton enter the league in Division Two.

Finally, Cononley begin life in Division Two of the Bradford League following promotion last season. They begin with a home game against fellow promoted side Clayton B on Saturday.