Otley CYCLE CLUB: Six riders of the A Section set out for Ripon with a strong wind on their backs and had an early lunch at the Sun Parlour. Having got wet on the outward journey they decided to make their way home with a rising headwind and some sunshine, arriving in Otley for 60 miles.

The B Section had three members out and headed into the wind for Gargrave with morning stop at Bolton Abbey Railway Station and lunch in Gargrave. The return was easier, with a tail wind, and they reached Otley for 45 miles.

Three members of the Intermediate Section were bound for Hebden, near Grassington. However, the Old Schoolrooms Caf was closed so it was Burnsall for morning stop, then over to Gargrave for lunch. They made good progress back to Otley with a tail wind, to make Otley for 55 miles.

Most runs were back early in order to attend the children's party in the clubrooms. About 30 children of all ages joined in games organised by Hilary. The adults had a pool and domino kick-off competition, and everyone sat down to a finger buffet and had an enjoyable time.

Wharfedale Darts and Dominoes: The Queens Head were at home to the Star and losing the darts 5-2 and the fives and threes 2-1 but winning the dominoes 5-2.

Unionist A entertained the British Legion winning the fives and threes 2-1 but losing the darts 4-3, M Featherstone finishing in 39 darts. The Legion also won the dominoes 4-3.

Station played the Unionist B winning the darts 4-3 but losing the dominoes 6-1 and the fives and threes 2-1. Riverside were at home to High Royds winning the darts 7-0 but losing the dominoes 5-2 and the fives and threes 2-1.

Burley Rifle Club were at home to the White Horse winning the dominoes 4-3 and the fives and threes 2-1 but losing the darts 4-3. The Ilkley Moor were at home to the Fairfax Club winning the darts 4-3 and the dominoes 5-2 but losing the fives and threes 2-1.

WHARFEDALE BILLIARDS: THE Wharfedale Billiards team kept up their challenge for title honours with a 5-2 victory over Leeds Two at Guiseley Liberal Club last Saturday. The Leeds Two team are one of the stronger squads in the league and Wharfedale captain Steve Crosland was satisfied with the outcome.

Dave Richardson played first board for Wharfedale and was up against county player Bob Patterson. Richardson gave a good account of himself despite having to suffer an adverse run of the balls for most of the time but Patterson took the points. Crosland levelled the match with a comfortable win over Mike Ikin although Ikin, like Richardson, had a poor run of the balls.

Everything depended on the last game between Ron Haigh and Leeds' Ken Steel. These two players have a long history of rivalry and the game developed into a war of attrition. Both played some excellent individual shots but were unable to compile any significant breaks and the lead changed hands several times. Fortunately for Wharfedale the lead changed in Haigh's favour at the right time and he won by 14 points.

Scores: D Richardson 119, R Patterson 200; S Crosland 200, M Ikin 83; R Haigh 200, K Steel 186.

The following evening the Wharfedale Snooker team took on Castleford at Guiseley Conservative Club. The home side were back to full strength but everything went wrong from the word go. After the fine win against Leeds' last match the Wharfedale squad was whitewashed by a strong Castleford team.

Scores: T Taylor 0 (39, 33), P Fisher 2 (44, 79); A Blamire 0 (4, 31), J Arnold 2 (70, 59), R Brooke 0 (20, 42), G Jones 2 (46, 55).

On Friday Steve Crosland flies out to Belfast to represent England in the annual encounter against Northern Ireland for the Friendly Cup. This will be the seventh time the event has taken place since billiards Internationals were revived in 1996. Crosland is an ever-present in the England team of eight.