DAVID JACQUES cruised to victory in the Skipton Merit competition with a comfortable victory over Mick Higson of Cononley.

The Keighley bowler raced to a 21-11 victory in the final at the Broughton road club after making a slow start, beating Sue Finnie 21-14, but excelled against Jim Calvert in the semi-final.

Higson had a much tougher day, beating both Alistair Keighley and his 'old pal' Ben ridding by narrow margins. President Roy Sanderson was on hand to present the trophies.

Broughton Road is also the venue for the John Rycroft Trophy on Sunday when the finals day begins at 1.30.

Sixteen top bowlers take the field including the legendary Brian Duncan, ex-Yorkshire champions Roy Nicholson and Bob Kitchen. Local hopes rest in the hands of Ben Ridding and Richard Hargreaves.

The draw is: G Ridding (Skipton Devon) v C Newton (Castleford); B Duncan (Preston) v P Matthews (Eccleshill); I Tordoff (Bradford) v A White (Manchester); G I Wilson (Oldham) v R Hargreaves (Keighley) :L Lawton (Failsworth) v H Kettlewell (Brighouse Sports); R Hitchen (Halifax) v A Telford (Tadcaster); W Simpson (Rossendale) v A J Walker (Sheffield; D Sowerby (Haslingden) v R Nicholson (Halifax).

Sunday was another historic day in the Valley as Pauline Lightowler, of Denholme) won the Valley handicap for the second time in a row, beating Skipton Veteran Champion Dough Stone 21-13 at Oakworth.

Pauline produced some superb bowling supported by a good crowd on another went day. Losing semi-finalists were Brian Potts and Roy Littlewood. No doubt the handicapper will be trying to spoils Pauline's plans for a three-timer next season.

Cross Roads took revenge on Littlewoor in the Brotherton Cup final at Pudsey Bowling Ltd to gain some compensation for their shock Yorkshire Cup defeat some weeks ago.

Skipper Mick Walsh (21-7) and Trevor Hargreaves who won 21-10 after training 10-1, led the way to a 14-point victory. As predicted Cross Roads won earlier rounds with ease, obliterating Myrtle Park from the bowling map and almost demolishing the Shipley club as they secured a third win in the competition.

On Sunday Cross Roads B hope to emulate their first team in the Yorkshire Parks Wood Cup. It is played in the Aire-Wharfe area, starting at 10am.

Ex-Steeton star Dave Smith (Silsden BC) was the first local qualifier in the Craven Classic which continues tonight at 7pm.

Keighley A reached the Clarkson Cup final on August 19 when they will meet Steeton A or Sutton C at Cross Hills and will attempt a league and cup double. They defeated an under-strength Cononley A at Silsden PF by 14 points thanks mainly to Colin Jeffrey who turned the game when he came back from 17-2 down to win 21-20.

Haworth continue their improved form in the Bradford Observers League Division Three. They were bottom two weeks ago but two 21-9 wins have lifted them close to the promotion area.