Cross Roads bowler Stephen Pickles realised his childhood ambition when he won the Yorkshire Parks Merit Title at Rufford Park last weekend.

The popular bowler beat the much vaunted Chris Mordue of Brighouse 21-13 in a one-side final. Stephen is the first local bowler to win the title since E Slater of Lund Park back in 1945, and he returned home via Craven Bowling Club where the Valley Doubles were being played and he received rapturous applause from his many friends. Trevor Hargreaves lost in the semi-finals.

The Valley Doubles finals seemed to be progressing to an easy win for favourites Richard Hargreaves and Les Foster when they held a comfortable lead over Brian Harrison (Highfield) and Scott Bairstow (Cross Roads). However, a sudden change of fortune enabled the latter pairing to swing the game and secure a 21-17 win - Harrison's third victory on the trot in the event.

Richard Hargreaves had earlier won the Hebden Bridge Merit defeating Des Senior (Hebden Royd Park) by a 21-15 margin at Old town to restore his self-confidence.

Following a narrow defeat by Wakefield in their last game, the Skipton Veterans continue their inter-district campaign today (Friday) at 2pm against the West Riding when they face a difficult task against an experienced team. The home squad is at Sutton.

The Craven Classic continues tonight at 7pm with locals Rob Ellis, David Hemsley, David Cadwallader and Brian Potts on view. The final is on July 9.l

The Valley and Supplementary Cups continue on Saturday.

Valley Cup: Craven B v Bradshaw A (at Denholme); Craven A v Whins A (Highfield); Steeton B v Highfield B (Whins wood); Cross Roads A v Lund C (Keighley).

Supplementary Cup: Silsden PF v Sutton A (Craven); Lund B v Haworth (Bradshaw); Highfield A v Whins B (Oakworth); Cross Roads B v Sutton B (Silsden PF). Next rounds on July 31.

County Action returns on Sunday as Yorkshire Parks continue their campaign against Central Lancashire, a side which contains some 'Yorkies'. The home leg is at Littlemoore (Pudsey) while the local representatives travel to the away match at Crompton.

The Valley Federation teams are also in action this weekend against the side promoted with them last year, Heavy Woollen, Local support is required in the home leg at Cross Hills, while the away game captained by our very own Yorkshire Champion, Stephen Pickles, travel to Thornhill, Dewsbury.

Oxenhope head the Aire-Wharfe Wednesday Afternoon League after another good win, speerheaded by Les Foster and Roy Littlewood. Coming the other way are Haworth, who remain bottom without a win in the Bradford Division Three.

The Clarkson Cup knockout in the Skipton League has reached the second round stage, games on Monday include Oakworth v broughton Road (at Steeton), Silsden Playing Fields A v Deven (Lund Park), Lund B v Whins (Haworth); Cross Hills B v Keighley B (Silsden) and Keighley A v Cononley B (Whinfield). Following their defeat of holders Foulridge, Steeton A meet Sutton B at Broughton Road while Cross Hills A play Silsden B at Sutton after both teams had good wins in Round One. The quarter-finals are on July 12.