RICHARD Hargreaves, of Keighley BC, has reached the last eight of the Hillcrest Classic in Sowerby Bridge after two excellent and comfortable victories in the intermediate rounds.

He now meets Joshua Mordue, of Brighouse, on finals day. The last rounds in this section are on Saturday where Hargreaves's team-mate, Les Foster, also hopes to qualify.

The Skipton Veteran’s Inter-District team resumed their up and down season against Halifax losing 24-32 overall.

They just lost out in the away leg at Kingston BC where they shared the winners and were best served by Guy Barrie, Mick Demain, David Hemsley and in-form Kevin Burnett where only six points separated the teams.

However, in the home game at Gargrave, the team were well beaten by a side that bowled well and could only record victories by Peter Haworth, skipper Derek Seed and Alden Phillips, of Steeton, who produced another great effort to win 21-5. Next match is against Huddersfield on June 28.

The finals of the Skipton Vets Handicap are on Friday at Colne Cricket Club from 1.15pm and a good field go to post in an open event.

The Yorkshire ABA’s Ladies Veteran’s team travelled to the Stoke area for the British Ladies annual one-day event featuring several county sides. After a long day, ruined by continuous rain, they emerged rather damp but victorious after games at Stretton BC and the aptly named Washlands.

After games against North Warwickshire and the Isle of Man, they received a walk-over to reach the semi-finals where they ended the hopes of old rivals, Lancashire. They then beat locals Staffordshire in the final by 15 points. Playing a major part in this success were locals Kath Whitaker and Viv Abell.

In Yorkshire ABA County team knock-out events, Broughton Road have reached the last eight of the mixed team event for the Hutchinson Trophy after a big win over Magnet Sports at Hove Edge. In terribly wet conditions, both Faye Ellis and David Precious excelled and play again on July 13.

Sadly Whinfield came unstuck at the same stage in the Radley Trophy against Horbury WMC at Akroyden Victoria.

On Sunday, the Yorkshire ABA’s Ladies Merit is at Ossett C and AC, while the Worth Valley Trebles are scheduled for Keighley BC but details have yet to be announced.

Leading places in the Skipton Leagues are: Merit League Division One: Colne CC; Div 2: Oxenhope; Div 3: Gargrave B/Lund A; Div 4: Lund B; 54321 League Div 1: SPF A, Div 2: R/Royce, Div 3: Whinfield B; Div 4: Gargrave C.