FAVOURITE David Jacques of Keighley continued his good form this season when he won the Skipton and District League Merit at Broughton Road on Sunday, (writes Peter Haworth).

This was his first League Merit title and gives him an impressive double after his Spring Floodlight win in April.

Despite last week's heavy rain, Broughton Road green was in good condition for the finals.

The draw put Jacques against Sue Finnie of Whins Wood in the quarter-final and while she put in a good performance, she could not stop Jacques from progressing 21-15.

The other matches saw both Cononley players Mick Higson and Jim Calvert coming from behind to beat Whinfield pair Alistair Keighley and Idris Wade. Higson was trailing Keighley 18-8, but turned it round to win 21-19, while Calvert overcame a 11-4 deficit against Wade to win 21-18.

Devon's Graham Ridding completed the quarter finals with a 21-13 win over Ed Hall from Silsden PF.

Higson again looked in trouble against Ridding in the semi-final, but ran out from 19-15 down to win 21-19, while Jacques proved to be far too strong for Calvert, winning 21-6 in a game that included nine doubles.

Jacques then continued his cracking form in the final, with some excellent corner bowling setting up a 15-6 lead before Higson rallied. His leads, however, were not good enough to put pressure on Jacques, who completed a 21-11 victory.