Richard Dunhill and Neil Hargreaves won the Valley Merit Doubles at Lund Park after staring defeat in the face at the semi-final stage.

The trailed holders Mick Walsh and Stephen Pickles 14-20 before clawing their way back to a 21-20 win. After a close final they beat Trevor and Richard Hargreaves, also of Cross Roads.

"I almost feel like part of the Hargreaves family," said Dunhill after their win. Other losing semi-finalists were Hewitt and Matthews of Denholme.

Young county bowlers John Robertson and Philip Dowgill travelled to Halifax to compete in the Howden Memorial doubles last weekend, despite a big and very strong field containing many other county bowlers and poor weather conditions they returned victorious. They managed to overcome some very close games in the early rounds, and won the final surprising easily 21 - 5

John Robertson then travelled to Leeds on Sunday to compete in the Dockray Youth Festival, and managed to gain a place in the quarter finals before losing to county colleague Richard Matthews.

Cross Roads still lead the first division of the Halifax League but the current title holders Elland WMC are breathing down their necks.

The Elland side are just four points behind, but the Roadies are determined to hold them off and add another title to their impressive list.

Oxenhope A remain second in Division Two, without being too convincing, and are some way adrift of leaders Greetland A. Oakworth remain mid-table, but too near the relegation zone for comfort. Oxenhope B and Denholme remain in mid-table of divisions four and six.

Keighley A hold a narrow lead in Division One of the Skipton League with Silsden a close behind. Cross Hills A, who are trying for a second promotion in two years, lead Division Two with a useful advantage, while both Oakworth and Haworth are in the top half with the Whinfield teams leading Divisions three and four.

The Veterans team from Skipton continue their upside down form, beating Halifax away, but lost overall as they were hammered at home yet again. The next match is against Leeds on June 16.

The Yorkshire Cup reaches the second round stage this we4ekend. After beating Cleckheaton Sports B, locals Cross Roads meet their C team at Wakefield SC and should progress again while Wins Wood meet old rivals Hebden Royd Park at Bradley and Colne.

Tie of the round in the Henry Taylor Cup comes when local rivals Devon and Oakworth meet at Ilkley Bowling Club. Sutton and Cross Hills are also in action in the event meeting King Cross and Bilton Dragons respectively.

The John Ryecroft Trophy preliminary rounds are on the go again on Sunday in Skipton with sessions at 11.30 and 2.30, with Brian Duncan of Preston, a well known bowling star of recent years, playing in the second session. The Skipton Devon prelims continue in the evening and feature David Scott and Colin Wortley.

The Hebden Bridge Merit Prelims start on Sunday at 10.30 with the finals scheduled for Hollings Bowling Club at Todmorden.

Yorkshire Bowling Association ladies beat Shropshire by three points. Local bowlers were Kath Whitaker on the away team who beat her opponent 21-19 and Susan Finney on the home team who beat hers at 21-12 as the team took a narrow three point victory.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.