THE competitive side of the Skipton League came to an end at Broughton Road last week with the finals of the Norman Johnston Floodlit Handicap with eight finalists going to post.

The deserving winner after a good night’s play was the unflappable Neil Hargreaves, of Keighley BC, who hardly batted an eyelid as he beat his former team-mate Chris Wilson 21-18 in the final.

The latter also played well especially in his quarter-final when he came from a mile behind to beat his opponent by the odd point. It was Hargreaves' third success in this event and was well deserved.

Losing in the semis were Trevor Hargreaves and league president Steve Clamp while also in the money were Richard Hargreaves, Paul Drinkall, Keith Moore and Graeme Reay.

Trevor Hargreaves also reached the Hebden Bridge Veteran’s Double’s Final at Crow Wood Park when he teamed up with his Keighley team-mate Peter Deighton in an event he has had a great deal of success over the years.

It was not to be this time despite reaching the final when they were well beaten by Brian Pickles and Martin Grace, of Sowerby, losing 7-15.

The Worth Valley Handicap Doubles also brought the league’s competitions to a close when they were completed on a miserable day down at Keighley BC.

Several pairings took part with the main event and a supplementary event for first game losers.

In the main event, the deserving winners were Lenny Buxton Junior and Ian Acrid of the home club who caused a minor upset defeating Garry Hodge and Mark Adams, from Skipton, 21-8.

Losing in the semis were Stephen Lloyd and John Callanan, Rob Ellis and Jim Akrigg.

In the Supplementary Final, there was another slight shock as the winners were Michael and Carole Rhodes, of Lund Park, who narrowly beat Seth and Mavis Naylor of Rolls Royce 21-19.

Losing in the semis were Graeme Perry and Garry Bailey, Henry Ryder and Darren Rees.

The Hebden Bridge Champion of Champions event was held at Oxenhope at the same time where Richard Helliwell, of Old Town, retained the title he won last season beating Ryan Tiler, of Cross Roads, quite comfortably 21-10.

Losing in the semis were Richard Hargreaves and the league’s hardworking secretary, Fred Rothwell.

The Worth Valley team K/O finals are at Broughton Road on Saturday commencing at 11am and as usual features three games between SPF B and Whins B in the Chairman’s Cup, Craven v Whinfield B, in the Supplementary Cup and Whinfield A v Lund A in the main event for the Valley Cup.

The Veteran’s Finals are on Monday after semi-finals are completed this week.