THE weekend began at Yeadon Park last Friday where, on a great surface, David Smith, of Broughton Road, won the Guardian Merit in the Aire-Wharfe League by comfortably beating his former team-mate, Mick Bastow, of Ilkley, 21-12.

In the evening, preliminary rounds in the Yorkshire Merit were held at Broughton Road where the two qualifiers were veterans David Scott, of Crosshills, and Trevor Hargreaves, of Keighley BC, after they defeated Richard Hargreaves and Peter Clark.

Both travelled to the finals at Broad Oak, Huddersfield on Monday where Scott just lost in round one to former champion, Liam Griffin, of Pudsey, but Hargreaves actually won a round before been well beaten by Jonathan Wilcox, of Crossgates.

The event was won again for the sixth time by Graeme Wilson, of Elland WMC, who defeated Thomas Hanson, 21-20.

The Hebden Bridge team travelled to Thrum Hall on Monday to meet Bradford in the first game in the Yorkshire Parks Inter-City and beat their close rivals 7-5 for the third consecutive time after a good start.

They then moved to Old Town for the second match against a poor Leeds Ladies team and won 11-1 to put themselves in with a great chance of reaching the final after two big wins, 21-2.

Meanwhile, Bradford had beaten Sheffield 8-4 to open up the qualifying place and they were the Hebden’s team next opponent.

Hopes were soon dashed as Sheffield turned on the style to win 1-11 with a fine performance at Sowerby T and BC to end all hopes. Richard Hargreaves was the only winner. It was a complete collapse as Sheffield moved onto Hillcrest to just beat Leeds in the Final.

The Yorkshire Cup continues on Saturday where Cross Roads face a tough tie against Spen Victoria B at Hipperholme.

In the mixed event for the Hutchinson Cup, Broughton Road meet Morton House at Akroyden Victoria while in the Radley Cup, Whinfield play Brockholes B at Clayton and Oxenhope travel to Crowghyll Park to meet Hove Edge B. Next games on June 15.

The beleaguered Skipton Veterans meet West Riding in their next game on Friday and while the away team are at Thornhill, mystery surrounds the home venue, starts at 1pm.