THE Skipton Ladies Inter-District team took centre stage last Sunday in the annual Yorkshire ABA even which was, hosted this season by the Aire-Wharfe Association.

They played their first games at Burley-in-Wharfedale where the playing surface was far from ideal.

In their first match one they met the West Riding team who had ready lost to Castleford.

The locals played quite well and won by about 40 points and had seven winners out of ten.

They were best served by Viv Abell and Pauline Lightowler who both recorded 21-5 victories.

Game two was the decider where the locals just held on to beat a strong Castleford team by five points, mainly due to a debut win for the talented Rosie Southworth 21-7.

Other winners were Liz Bland, Christine Hasselby, Claire Russell and Muriel Baker in a match where the winners were shared.

Skipton travelled to Rawdon Park to meet Bradford in the semi-finals on a different playing surface and where hopes of another final appearance were soon in tatters.

Their opponents bowled exceptionally well and a minor comeback as the early games determined the outcome of the match.

At the end, they lost by only 14 points but only managed four winners in Hasselby and Lightowler again plus Cath Rushton and an in-form Southworth who won 21-5 to impress all around.

By the time that Huddersfield, the favourites, easily defeated Bradford at Rufford Park, the Skipton team were long gone but had time to reflect on an overall poor performance. Only Hasselby won all her games.

Tomorrow, it is the men’s turn in the continuing Inter-District event where they meet an unconvincing Leeds team and should gain welcome points.

The home side return to Sutton while the away side travel to an unknown venue at Western Flatts. Both games commence at 1.30.

The Keighley and Valley Merits events at Keighley BC were cancelled due to lack of entries.

Let us hope the Skipton Summer Doubles go ahead on Sunday. All inquiries to Peter Haworth on venues and starting times.

Present positions in the Worth Valley Leagues sees clear leaders in all three Divisions with Cross Roads A, Bingley A and Bradshaw B well in front at the halfway stage.

It is a little closer in the Veteran’s Doubles Leagues where the mid-season leaders are Gargrave A, Sutton A, Oakworth, Bingley B and Bingley D.