Cross Roads A suffered a rare taste of defeat as they were knocked out of the Hebden Bridge Sunday Morning Knockout competition, last weekend.

The Roadies are current holders of the title, but slipped to defeat against old rivals Hebden Royd Park A at Old town. It was a tough day for the top local club as their B and C teams also lost on the same day.

The quarter finals are being held on Sunday and local hopes now rest with Lund A, Denholme, Oakworth and Whins B as they aim for a place in the semi-finals.

The Bradford League starts this weekend when the only local representatives, Haworth, take on Tyersal in Division Four.

The Skipton Handicap preliminary rounds start on Sunday with the draw taking place at 6.45. Greens in use are at Keighley, Silsden PF, and Steeton with the finals on Sunday, May 6.

Andy Uttley of Devon is one of the first qualifiers in the Chris Slater sponsored event at Silsden PF. Stephen Pickles has teamed up with Margaret Slater to reach the Mixed Pairs finals at Blackpool.

Cross Roads, Whins wood and Oakworth all made progress in the Yorkshire Cup with good wins.

n Last Saturday saw the start of the Junior Inter-District league season. Two local bowlers have been selected to play for the Halifax section and both were in fine form. Thomas Sexton (Highfield) won 21-10 and John Robertson (Whinswood) won 21-8.

These were excellent results on a very fast green at Thrum Hall (Halifax). The team was unlucky to loose by one point, considering they had to forfeit 21 points due to one team member not turning up. This Saturday evening they face title favourites Huddersfield away.