THERE was a disappointing end to all local hopes in the Waterloo Handicap final stages at Blackpool.

Trevor Hargreaves reached the last 64 and Les Foster made it into the final 32, while both David Scott and Chris Slater reached the last 16 and looked within grasp of the big time.

No doubt they will remember their adventures for many years to come, especially Les who beat past winner and favourite Ken Shutt, 21-18 in round five. Les then lost surprisingly in the following round by a narrow margin infront of almost 4,000 fans yet returned to Keighley the same evening to qualify for the Whins Wood Trebles finals with Dave Siddle and Keith Ridding -- infront of four spectators.

Such are the highs and lows of this great game.

This weekend sees the Yorkshire Handicap finals at Lindley, Huddersfield when local hopes rest with Sean Beaumont. The Sunday Handicap finals are being held at Colne CC at 1.30 featuring Colin Wortley and Ben Ridding in the last eight.

The Valley Leagues approach their final weeks with several issues still at stake.

In Division One, sponsored by Burgess Fors, Cross Roads hold sway. They trail Illingworth by 16 points, but have four games in hand. Haworth are relegated, but don't know who will be joining them as Whins A and Lund A seem too close for comfort.

In Division Two Denholme A lead narrowly from Skipton teams Whinfield and Craven. Robert P Snowden of Haworth sponsor the league where relegation looms for Cullingworth B and Steeton A.

Lund C are almost home and dry in Division Three, sponsored by Brunskill Electricians. Chasing them closely are Silsden PF B and Cross Hills B, Steeton B and Lund D remain at the bottom.

The Advanced Stair Lifts Super League title seems to be heading for Illingworth despite Cononley's efforts to catch them up, while holders Cullingworth A look set to retain the Doubles League ahead of Oakworth and Denholme A.

The Valley Veterans League Division One title has gone to Sutton A who headed Haworth by only two points in the final run in. Steeton A and Cross Hills A finished bottom.

Whinfield lead Division Two ahead of Cross Hills B.

The Over 60's Doubles will be held at Cross Hills on Monday, starting at 10.00, sponsored by Norman Bairstow Sports. The draw is:

10.00: Pinder v Bland, Holmes v Moore, D Smith v Stephenson, G Smith v P Smith, Bennett v O'Meala.

10.45: I Wood v A Spencer, I Emmott v M Grey, R Smith v F Barnes, R Cowman v J Holdsworth, D Stones b M Robinson.

11.30: F Bailey v K Beanland, R Burley v B Alvey, K Helliwell v W Taylor, H Driver v B Robinson, W Midgley v C Cadwallader, M Barrett v P Heaton.

All entry sheets for the end of season doubles must be returned to J Clarke as soon as possible and last year's winners should return their trophies.

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