THE Clarkson Cup Preliminary Round saw two big surprises, as last year's winners Keighley A and second in the table Silsden Playing Fields A both took early exits from this year's competition, (writes Peter Haworth).

Cross Hills A put up an excellent performance to get four winners against last season's double winners Keighley A. Peter and Phillip Dowgill led the way with a big win for Phillip 21-8 and dad Peter taking a good scalp with a hard fought 21-20 win over David Jacques.

Ken Brenkley 21-16 and Ronnie Elrick 21-18 made up the winners and set up a 207-188.

Steeton A from Division Two certainly came up with the goods on the night as they got the better of top side Silsden PF A by 10 points with a 220-210 win. Once again it was the four winners who made the victory, but with a good all round team effort.

Best win went to Alden Phillips 21-9, while Graham Seward's 21-17 against Jamie Cunningham and David Fairless 21-20 against Chris Slater were good wins. Ian Hodgson's 21-18 victory rounded of the Steeton winners.

Keighley C also had a good win over Whinfield B. The 20 points handicap start was not required for the third division side as they had six winners against the Woolies B team. Sutton B continued their good start to the season with a win against Cononley B, while Grassington B pushed Silsden A all the way going down by just seven points.

The other ties went true to form, with the handicap not being good enough on the night.

The Clarkson Cup handicaps have been changed, with Silsden A now 25, Devon A now 35, while Cross Hills A should be 55 not 60.