It was a sad day for local hopes in the Yorkshire Cup as top side Cross Roads lost narrowly to Littlemoor (Pudsey) in the last 16 of this famous event.

While they were expected to win easily over a "team of ageing pop stars" the locals lost the plot completely towards the end.

This club has the ability to go all the way in their event but somehow seem to lose their way when it comes to the crunch, losing by two points only. Will they ever win? It seems in doubt but the ability remains. It's up to them!

In the Henry Taylor Cup, Devon moved into the last eight after defeating Drighlington earlier, thanks to good efforts by local stars Andy Uttley and Ben Ridding.

Sadly the event proved a nightmare for Cross Hills, who seemed certain to progress against Pudsey BC Ltd until one heavy defeat ended local hopes at the last minute.

The Rycroft Trophy Prelims continued on Sunday with Richard Hargreaves (Keighley) in top form to qualify for the finals on August 11, along with past winner and bowling legend Brian Duncan (Preston). This will ensure a full house on finals day.

Qualifiers in the Skipton Merit finals on August 4 ensure an open finals day, with Keighley David Jacques the hot favourite. Trying to dislodge him will be the in-form Ben Ridding, Mick Higson, Jim Calvert, Ed Hall and the league's best looking player, Sue Finnie.

The Veterans Inter District team aim to continue their winning ways with the game against Leeds today, home leg at Devon.

The Valley Federation team continue their progress with a win-at-all-costs game against Furness on Sunday with the home leg at Keighley BC. The away team travel to Dalton-in-Furness Cricket Club. Start is at 2pm.

The Sunday Handicap finals are also on Sunday at Silsden BC, start 1.30pm, when 16 finalists go to post in an open event.

The quarter finals of the Skipton KO event, the Clarkson Cup, is on Monday at 7pm.

Draw (venue in brackets): Keighley A v Settle A (Craven); Cononley A v Silsden PF A (Grassington); Silsden A v Steeton A (Addingham); Addingham A v Sutton C (Steeton).

My tips go against the grain as I predict Settle A, Cononley A, Steeton A and Sutton C to progress when the other four teams seem to be favouites!

Roman Hrabar (Myrtle) set more records when he won the Yorkshire Park Merit for the fifth time at Rufford Park defeating Stephen Pickles (Cross Roads) 21-15 easily in the final.

Pickles achieved this position with a surprise win over Chris Slater in the semi-final while Roman defeated team mate David Upton.

One of the most popular events, the Jack Horsfield Invitation Doubles, has been cancelled this season and will probably never be played again.

Jack's son Jim wishes to thank all clubs and players for supporting this event over the last few years and pointed out the financial and organisational difficulties facing the sponsors.

I will always remember it as a great event and for the class player who sadly gave his name to it. Thanks Jack!

Worth Valley BA Veterans League positions - Division One: 1 Silsden PF A P9, Pts 40; 2 Haworth A 9-33; 3 Whinswood 9-26; 4 Cross Hills A 8-23; 5 Whinfield A 8-15; 6 Lund Park A 9-12; 7 Skipton Devon 9-11; 8 Denholme A 7-10. Division Two: 1 Lund Park B 9-32; 2 Silsden PF B 9-31; 3 Sutton A 9-30; 4 Cross Hills B 9-20; 5 Haworth B 9-19; 6 Steeton A 9-17; 7 Highfield 9-16; 8 Whinfield B 9-15. Division Three: 1 Steeton B 8-31; 2 Oakworth 7-21; 3 Craven 8-21; 4 Sutton B 8-18; 5 Bradshaw 6-14; 6 Broughton Road 7-13; 7 Denholme B 8-12.