THE Yorkshire Cup hopes of top local side Cross Roads melted away in the blazing heat at College Grove, Wakefield.

They narrowly lost by five points to Mirfield Old Bank A in what was a sad blow for the club and its supporters who saw them make a terrible start, with no winners from the first four jacks.

The nightmare continued but a final rally with wins from Mick Walsh, Neil Hargreaves, Les Foster, Richard Dunhill and 'Wilfred' Pickles was to out them close but was ultimately to no avail.

Several players under-performed and some lost useful leads when well placed. No doubt the team will be back to take another tilt at the title in 2004.

There was more bad news for the 'Roadies' when holders Cross Roads B lost in the semi-final of the Wood Cup held in the Barkston Ash area. They went out of the Yorkshire Parks event to Tyersal A who were eventual runners-up.

Chris Mordue won the Ryecroft Trophy in fine style. The Bradford County bowler beat Chris Brown of Sheffield 21-15 on an afternoon which saw a large crowd watching the action. Local hope Richard Hargreaves just lost in the last eight to the eventual winner.

Foulridge were easy winners of the Clarkson Cup final, beating Silsden PF B at Settle. The locals had no answer to their Lancashire opponents and only Chris Wilson (21-9) actually won a game for the locals.

The final week of the season in Skipton sees Keighley A set to win the Division One again with an 11-point lead over old rivals SPF'A'. The top local side have not had it all their own way this season with recent defeats by Cononley, who will be third, and Silsden PF 'A'.

Relegation looms for Addingham A while Lund A have a slight chance of avoiding the drop at the expense of Cross Hills A.

Devon B and Rolls A are locked in combat for the Division Two title with Steeton A in third place some way behind. Silsden PF C and Settle B are poised to return to Division Three.

Sutton B look set to be crowned Division Three champions, but the runners-up position is uyet to be decided with Rolls B leading Lund B by three points with one match to play.

The Supplementary Cup final is tonight at Cross Hills when Craven a meet Whins Wood B and are slight favourites. The Valley Cup itself is next week at Craven.

Cross Roads A look set to become Hebden Bridge Champions again in Division One with Oxenhope A a creditable second. The B team lead Division Two whilst Lund B are hanging on to their lead in Division Three.

Cross Roads A still lead the Halifax Division One title race by one point.

The Valley Mixed Pairs is the main highlight this week at Highfield. Parkinson's Printers sponsor the competition which starts at 9.30am on Sunday.

Draw - 9.30: M Hemsley v Pat Bugeja, Win Wortley v M Baker, B Rowan v Jo Ellis, J Pickles v N Stepehson, P Lawrie v M Slater.

10.15: C Uttley v J Flaherty, J Helliwell v A Hewitt, B Farrar v C Lomax, K Roberts v Ann Coppen, R Bland v D Hobson.

11.00: Idris Stone v E Bland, H Cartwright v Pam Potts, C Burnett v C Harrison, M Taylor v D Riley, M Armstrong v K Kennedy.

11.30: N Chaplin v J Trueman, Sue Finnie v H Holdenby, Viv Ambrose v H Hoyland, P Holmes v J Hargreaves, H Seaweed v Pam Wilkins, D Lightowler v A Bennett.

Rounds one and two of the Skipton Divisional Knockout also get underway next week.

Doubles League

P Pts

Cross Roads 10 41

Lund Park A 10 39

Denholme 10 33

Lund Park B 10 7