AFTER the Easter break, the bowls season begins to kick off with much more local action beginning with preliminaries in the Yorkshire and Hutchinson County Cups on Saturday from 2.30pm.

Sadly in these prestigious events, local entries have declined in recent times. In days gone by, it gave clubs the chance to play on different greens and against unknown opposition but sadly those days have gone.

In this year's Yorkshire Cup, Settle meet Crosland Moor B at Ackroyden Victoria, while Cross Roads play Raistrick at Eccleshill. Defeat gives the losers entry into the Supplementary event for the Henry Taylor Cup.

In the more popular event for mixed teams, the Hutchinson Trophy, Whinfield play Pontefract BC at Spen Victoria, Broughton Road meet Hove Edge B at Allan Park in Sowerby Bridge and Oxenhope go head-to-head with Moldgreen Cons from Huddersfield at Brighouse Sports. Defeat here means entry to other supplementary event, the Derrek Radley Trophy. Next rounds on May 11.

The Hebden Bridge Sunday Morning team KO event reaches its conclusion on Sunday at Todmorden Park commencing at 10am. In the main event, Cross Roads A meet their old rivals Mytholmroyd A in the semi-final, while Cross Roads B play Saville B in the semi-final of the Supplementary event.

The league itself begins in earnest on Monday with a two-division set-up a veterans league on Wednesday afternoons and a Friday night league for newcomers and learners. This has already started.

All local entries in the Yorkshire Park’s Merit held at Brighouse bit the dust in round one and were not around when Liam Griffin, of Lower Hopton, won the event, defeating Harry Seehra, of Crossgates, 21-19.

The Federation District leagues begins on Sunday with the Aire-Wharfe team back once again in the top flight. They play Leeds A with the home leg at Craven BC and will have to be on top form against strong opponents. Locals hoping to master their opponents are Robbie Ellis, Billy Cater, Dave Smith, Mark Barker and Peter Hepworth.

Saddest news of the week was the death of David Calvert after a long illness. He was a Cononley stalwart for many years working in all positions for the club and was a good player on his day.

He will be sadly missed by all at the club and our condolences go to his family and especially his son Jim, himself a leading player there.