TWO WORTH Valley competitions were completed at a sunny Highfield last Sunday as the league tries to encourage more entries for their events – a new idea this season.

The main tournament was the Foster Cup Handicap, which was narrowly won by home player Stuart McDonald, who just held off a spirited comeback by Kenny Baker, of Lund Park, to win 21-19. Losing in the semi-finals were Rachel Hudson and Stephen Lloyd.

First-game losers in this event were entered in a second competition, the Ogden Trophy, where relative newcomer Wayne Hudson, of Lund Park, scrambled home 21-19 against another host player in Donald Ward. Losing in the semi-finals were Ann Longden and Stan Walsh.

The next event is the Valley Trebles on May 28 at Keighley BC.

Also in a competitive mood, top Cononley duo Graeme Reay and Phil Dowgill reached the final of the Bradford Pairs Merit at Cleckheaton Sports only to suffer a shock defeat by ‘Peel Park pensioners’ John Stocks and David Burns 21-17.

First-round matches in the Skipton team knock-out for the Clarkson Cup have been completed with no major upsets. Cononley A, one of the favourites, were glad that opponents Gargrave B only had nine men as they were almost a shock casualty but it was business as usual for Oakworth, Steeton A, Lund Park A, Sutton A, Cross Hills A, Keighley A, Addingham A and Silsden Playing Fields A. Only narrow defeats kept out Keighley B, Steeton B and Silsden PF B.

The next round is on May 30 for winners and first-match losers who enter the Supplementary Cup.

Cross Roads’ hopes for further progress in the Yorkshire Cup came to an end at Pontefract BC when they lost to Netherton Cons by over 40 points despite having five good winners on a tricky playing surface.

In the mixed event for the Hutchinson Trophy, only Cross Hills made any progress, defeating Guiseley B by almost 20 points thanks to a good 21-2 victory by Ken Brenkley.

It was a different story for the two remaining sides as both were blown away by superior opposition. Broughton Road could only manage two winners against Hove Edge A at Thornhill, in the shape of Kevin Burnett and Faye Ellis, while it was a similar story for Oxenhope against Lower Hopton WMC B at Eccleshill, where the only victories came from Ronnie Bowdin, Mary Hemsley and Debbie Hosty.

First-round matches in all four Yorkshire events continue on June 3 when Cross Hills face Hove Edge A in a difficult match.

Skipton Veterans are back in inter-district action tomorrow against Castleford with the home match at Cross Hills starting at 1.30pm. The away side travel to Methley. A much better effort is needed to kick-start their season.

The Worth Valley/Skipton Juniors are back in action again on Saturday at Halifax.

Yorkshire Ladies have their first game on Sunday against Shropshire with the home match at Meltham from 2.30pm, while the away team travel to Wrockwardine Wood, where local representatives are Viv Abell and a recalled Sharon Gadd.