As anticipated there were some close games in the Cookson Cup quarter-finals and I was right in three out of four predictions!

Cononley A defeated Silsden PF A by one point at Grassington thanks to good efforts by David Hoskins and the 'shy and retiring' Graham Reay, whose 21-4 success clinched it.

Favourites Keighley A also scraped through by only one point against Settle at Craven, Richard Hargreaves getting the points required. They now meet Cononley A in the semi-finals.

Upsets came at Addingham, where Second Division Steeton A defeated high-flying Silsden A with a depleted team, and at Steeton where lowly Sutton C knocked out Second Division leaders Addingham A thanks to a good win by ex-A teamer Dennis Mackie.

So the unexpected semi-final will be between Sutton C and Steeton A.

Richard Hargreaves was also in fine form, winning the Sunday Handicap at Silsden. He easily defeated Steven Wood (Cononley) 21-12 in the final. For poor old 'Woody' it was his second Handicap final defeat this season.

Beaten semi-finalists were Colin Wortley and Vernon Crowther.

The Skipton Veterans returned to normal ways when they lost to bottom-of-the-table Leeds. In the away leg at Thorner they boasted four winners but in atrocious conditions at Devon they could only manage two. The last match is next Friday against Huddersfield.

The Valleys Federation team ended their season on a disappointing note when they were well beaten by a surprisingly good Furness team.

Only Andy Johnson and Tony Finn won at Dalton Cricket Club, while at Keighley BC the locals could only boast five winners led by Mick Bostovic's 21-12. Next season's revised set-up may change things again.

This weekend sees the Henry Taylor Cup quarter-finals featuring Skipton Devon and Whinfield, who hope to bring the possibility of an all-Skipton final a step closer.

The Ogden Trophy Handicap is to be held at Craven on Sunday (9.30am start) and is sponsored by Mr and Mrs Dowgill, of Bankfield Guest House.

Draw (9.30): R Cowman v R Sanderson, D Hewitt v R Brennan, V Ambrose v C Slater, P Lightowler v K Baker; (10am): W Demain v T Bugeja, B Harrison v D Hemsley, P Cadwallader v R Lightowler, W Baker v L Hutchinson; (10.45): E Bland v J Cormican, W Hemsley v C Burnett, G Swain v K Ridding, D Smith v D Slater; (11.30): G Beck v W Harrison, W Bastow v C Cadwallader, A Bennet v C Uttley, S Brennan v R Littlewood, A Abel v D Fielden.

The Craven club are also running a Classic event on Friday nights (7pm start) beginning next Friday with preliminary rounds until Finals day on August 30. Local firms have all chipped in to provide cash prizes for the lucky qualifiers.

Silsden BC are seeking entries for the H Featherstone Trophy on September 22. Contact Donald Varley (656467) to book your place.