Bowls: Phil makes it a double

Phil, who bowls with the Keighley and Cross Roads clubs won the Hebden Bridge Merit event at 'The Midge'ole', beating Cross Roads club mate Colin Wortley 21-14 in the final. Losing semi-finalists were Richard Hargreaves and Fred Pickles who are both also from Cross Roads as the club's domination of the league continues.

Phil then teamed up with old Haworth favourite Jon Edmondson to win the Bradford Open Pairs Merit at Horton Park. He is now going for his 'treble' at the Yorkshire Hills Supplies Finals at Almondbury Liberals on Sunday, together with Les Foster of Cross Roads.

The Cross Roads club seem to be involved in everything going at the moment and Scott Bairstow won the Valley Merit Doubles, sponsored by Mill Hey Fisheries, for the second year running, but with a different partner. This year he teamed up with Brian Harrison (Silsden PF) who was the competition organiser.

They beat Richard and Trevor Hargreaves 21-17 in the final at Haworth after being well in front at one stage. Losing semi-finalists were Paul Haigh and Tony Houldsworth, Colin Wortley and J D Smith.

Action continues this weekend with the qualifying rounds in the Craven Classic tonight (Friday) at 7pm featuring holders Les Foster, David Hemsley, Phil Anderson and in-form Arnie Ripley.

The Skipton Veterans continue on their merry way today with a match against Halifax, the only team below them in the table. The away leg is just a short journey, but the home venue is at Settle!

The Valley Federation Team play their second district match of the season against Rochdale Rockers on Sunday and are well placed for a title showdown with Heavy Woollen if they win again. The home leg is at Keighley BC on Sunday at 2pm when local support is needed.

The Skipton Knockout competition reaches Round Two on Monday with a number of exciting ties: Steeton A v Rolls Royce A, Whinfield A v Cross Hills A, Oakworth v Foulridge, Cononley A v Lund A, Haworth v Rolls Royce B and Silsden PF B v Keighley B.