THERE were several new faces competing in both the Leading Lady and Harrison Mixed Pairs Handicap held at Lund Park on a hot day where players had drinks handy to just keep cool.

However, it was the veteran pairing of Brian and Janet Haigh, of Haworth, who won the Leading Lady title, on a rare visit to this event, defeating Warren Burnett and Catherine Leigh, of Craven, 21-15 after a close game.

Meanwhile, in the Harrison Mixed Pairs, there was a surprise result as Robyn Akrigg and Liam Davey, of Craven, comfortably beat the holders Mick Paton and Carol Harrison, of the home club, 21-13, after the handicap played a part for the newcomers.

In the Hebden ABA, the veteran’s handicap was completed recently at Halifax BC and Trevor Hargreaves, of Cross Roads, reached the final once again.

Things did not go his way this time as he crashed to a 21-5 defeat losing to the experienced Brian Winrow, of Ripponden, where exhaustion played a major part in the result after a long day.

No doubt Hargreaves will be back in action for Skipton Veterans tomorrow in the Yorkshire Inter-District game, the last of another disappointing season, as he travels to South Leeds Con Club for the away leg.

The home team bring down the curtain at Craven BC and will be hoping to come out on top at last, 1.30pm start.

The Skipton Merit has been re-arranged for Broughton Road on Sunday at noon, where there will be some changes in the numbers competing after the postponement from the original date.

The Dick Keighley Memorial Trophy, originally planned for that date, has now been moved to August 28 with finals on September 6. Entries still been taken for this event which is restricted to players registered in the lower flights.

Silsden Ladies still head the Yorkshire Ladies League ahead of old rivals Linthwaite A after a 10-0 victory over a hapless Sowerby.

Myrtle Park lost narrowly in the Yorkshire ABA’s Mixed team event semi-final against local rivals Rufford Park at Thongsbridge despite both teams not been at full strength.

The club has also announced the death of one of its longest serving player in Bill Leach after a long illness. Condolences to all his family.

For our older readers, he actually began his bowling career with the NSF team that played in the old Keighley League at Victoria Park, now the site of the car park adjoining Keighley Baths alongside players like Fred Robinson and Mick Bootland. Leach was a giant of a man with a great sense of humour and sportsmanship.