SKIPTON Veterans made a stuttering start to the Yorkshire ABA’s Inter-District League when they were defeated 34-22 by local rivals Halifax and a tough season remains ahead.

As usual, the away side did not do too badly at Greenroyd BC where they shared the winners and were grateful to good efforts by Ken Brenkley, John Parkin, Alistair Keighley and Mick Demain to lose narrowly to the hosts.

It was a different story at Sutton Park in the home leg where the locals struggled from game one and could only muster three winners, the best being a 21-8 victory by Mick Duke.

Two narrow wins by Cliff Taylor and Tony Langstroth made up the side’s efforts although there were two close defeats in the game. The next match on May 19 against Castleford will hopefully see some restoration in pride.

As predicted, last Sunday’s Skipton Handicap was postponed due to a lack of entries – a sad reflection of the local game – but at least the Worth Valley’s Foster Cup Handicap goes ahead on Sunday, with entries still being taken on the day at Highfield until 10.30am. An added attraction is that first-game losers will be allowed to enter the Ogden Handicap on the same day. Let us hope for a good turn-out.

Preliminaries in Yorkshire team events continue this Saturday at 2.30pm. In the Yorkshire Cup, Cross Roads face Netherton Cons A at Pontefract and meet a very good side, who, despite losing some top players, are still very strong. In the same event, Broughton Road receive a bye into the first round proper on June 3.

In the mixed event for the Hutchinson Trophy, Oxenhope face a tricky match against Lower Hopton at Eccleshill while Broughton Road have a tough game against Hove Edge A at Thornhill. It could be a little easier for Cross Hills against Guiseley B at Cleckheaton Sports. The only local side in the mixed event for the Radley Trophy, Settle, receive a bye until June 3.

The Worth Valley/Skipton Juniors play their second game on Saturday night at Lund Park (7pm) when they meet Bradford B.

First-round matches in the Skipton team KO event for the Clarkson Cup were played earlier this week and a full report on games will appear here next week.