IT WAS Ladies Day at 'Royal Oakworth' as the fairer sex dominated the final stages of the Valley handicap.

Stephen Pickles, holder of the Hamnett Transport-sponsored title, found himself surrounded by a bevy of beauties in the semi-finals and he found it all too much.

He went down 20-21 to Pauline Lightowler in a thrilling semi-final and in the other half of the draw 'Vivacious' Viv Ambrose of Craven comfortably beat Mary Hemsley making her favourite for the title.

Pauline had other ideas and easily beat poor Viv 21-5 in a one-sided final with the good efforts at most ends.

The semi-finals of the Clarkson Cup, the Skipton team knockout event, will feature colne Legion A against Haworth with Cross Hills A taking on Broughton Road B in the other game. The matches are to be held on August 6, with the venues to be announced. The final will be on August 20.

Favourites Cononley A went down to Colne Legion at Settle even though the Lancashire club had a number of reserve players in their team. Meanwhile Haworth secured a narrow two-point victory over Rolls Royce A thanks to a last-gasp victory by Brian Greenwood.

Broughton Road B had a full house against rank outsiders, Steeton B who battled well, but to no avail.

Reporter Roy Sanderson watched the local derby at Craven between Cross Hills A and Sutton A. Despite several defections in the last couple of seasons Sutton are trying to rebuild a team with some success, but on this occasion they hit rock bottom. Cross Hills performed fairly well, but it is back to the drawing board for Sutton.

Haworth head the Bartle League in the Bradford ABA but will have to keep up the effort to hold back Greengates who are hot on their heels.

The Valley Veterans Doubles are to be held at Denholme on August 31. Entries should be sent to P Heaton as soon as possible.

The Wood Cup Finals are to be held in Bradford on Sunday at 10am. Local hopes in the last eight are Cross Roads B who face an experienced Clayton B side at the tricky Knowles Park green. The locals will have to he on top form the beat the recent Haworth Cup winners, but no doubt they will have an ace up their sleeves. The final is at Littlemoor at about 3pm.

Ramon Hrabor (Myrtle Park) won the Yorkshire Parks Merit for the fourth time at Rufford Park when he comfortably defeated top local Chris Slater of Silsden PF 21-13. Kevin Wordley reached the last eight of the event.

Richard Hargreaves did his best to keep the Devon Classic title in the family. The trophy was won by his father Trevor last year, but after riding his luck with two 21-20 wins the Keighley Bowling Club member fell by the wayside in a one-sided final. He lost 21-8 but the victor, Graeme Wilson of Elland, is the reigning British and Yorkshire champion.

Two finals to look forward to this weekend are the Chris Slater Carpets Classic at Silsden PF on Saturday (6pm start) which includes four well known faces. The draw is: Phillip Dowgill v H Seehra (Leeds), P Harrison (Sheffield) v J Hanson (Longridge), D Reeves (Leeds) v D Jaques, R Swailes v A Uttley.

The Skipton Merit is also being held on Sunday at Corss Hills, starting at 1.30. Local hopes include Les Foster (Devon) who will be hoping to reverse the trend after losing twice on the green, and Chris Slater who is current holder of the title.