COLNE Cricket have retained the Skipton Merit League Division One title someway ahead of Cononley A with a good effort.

Relegated are Broughton A and Colne Legion A.

Sutton A return to the top flight as expected with a clear victory over runners-up, Settle A, while going down are Lund A and Devon B.

In Division Three, Craven A won a second promotion in two years just ahead of Colne Legion B. Consecutive relegation looms for Cononley B, who go down to League Four along with Crosshills B.

Grassington return to Division Three as league winners in Division Four, while Whinfield B are favourites to go up as runners-up.

Keighley A retained the 54321 League Division One title after remaining undefeated well ahead of Cononley A. Settle and Lund A go down.

SPF A and Crosshills A come up from Division Two, but down go Crosshills B and poor Cononley B. Craven A and Colne Legion B come up from League Three, but going down are Steeton B and Gargrave C. Finally, Settle B won Division Four just ahead of Rolls Royce B.

Tonight sees the team KO finals in the Skipton League where Sutton A are favourites for a double when they meet Rolls Royce A at Addingham in the Clarkson Cup Final, while the Supplementary Final is at Colne Legion where Cononley A concede a great amount of start against Whinfield B in what could be a close match.

The Dick Keighley event was cancelled last week and will be played in September, while fixtures in the end-of-season Floodlit League will be announced shortly.

Several locals took part in the Hebden Royd Handicaps held recently at Todmorden Park when Paul Berry, of Cross Roads, won the Crabtree Handicap defeating Andy Johnson, of Oxenhope, while in the Sutcliffe Handicap. Past winner Ryan Tiler, of Cross Roads, was surprisingly beaten by Garry Plane, of Ripponden.

The popular Worth Valley Veterans Handicap Doubles are to be held at Craven BC on Monday, a change of venue from Broughton Road and entries are still been taken up to 11am on the day.

Games in the League Cups in the Worth Valley commence on September 1, with the three grand finals for each league scheduled for Broughton Road on September 29, from 11am.

David Scott, of Silsden, was a member of the Lower Hopton WMC’s team that recently won the Yorkshire Cup at Hillcrest, easily beating the holders, Thongsbridge.

The saddest news of the week for lots of players and supporters of local bowling was the death of Jean Bottomley, of Hainworth, who has passed away after a long illness.

Jean was a popular figure on the bowling scene and was a fair player on her day, no more so than back in her time at Whins Wood where she was an active worker. She often liked to support her husband Glynn in his many matches for Oakworth and will be sadly missed by all.