AFTER several weeks of sleepless nights in nervous anticipation, things finally came right for Whins Wood bowler Kath Whitaker as she made her international debut.

Kath was bowling for England in the newly instituted game against Wales, which was held at Rhyl last week.

Everything proved alright in the end for our modest local heroine as her 21-15 success helped England to a narrow, but deserved, win.

Now it is husband, Graham's turn to have sleepless nights, wondering if he will get the call, but that is extremely doubtful!

Qualifiers for the Yorkshire Parks merit Finals to be held at Lund Park on July 12 include local county star Stephen Pickles, richard Hargreaves, and an in-form Chris Slater. The only snag for chris is that he does not like Lund Park, but he will no doubt find his touch on the day.

Recent results in the Halifax League have left Cross Roads in with a chance of a Division One title, but there is still some way to go.

A busy weekend in the Valley League starts tonight with the Valley Handicap finals at Highfield (6.30), sponsored by the Old Star Inn, Steeton. Finalists are M Wilson, J Hamer, R Jones, D Westhuizen, G Foster, T Bugeja, R Lightowler and 'Storming' Norman Midgeley. A close event with a tight finish is anticipated.

The Valley Cup, sponsored by C Moore and Co, reaches its quarter-final stage on Saturday at 2.30. The semi-finals are on July 25 and August 1.

The draw is: Cross Hills A v Cross Roads A (at Steeton), Highfield v Lund B (Bradhsaw), Whinfield v Whins B (Highfield), Cross Roads B v Denholme B (Cullingworth).

The supplementary Cup has also reached the semi-final stage. Draw: Lund A v Illingworth (Cross Roads), Bradshaw A v Cullingworth B (Oxenhope), Oxenhope B or Lund C v Denholme a (Haworth), Lund D v Steeton B (Whins).

The Valley Merit Doubles are at Lund Park on Sunday, starting at 10am. The Royal Shepherd are sponsors.

Draw (first names only): No1 green 10am: R Hargreaves v R Littlewood, R Hemsley v K Jee, H Peacock v K Ridding, M Walsh v S Pickles.

No2 Green: L Hutchinson v V Ambrose, E Woollett v J Houldsworth, G Smith v D Midgeley, A Bennett v D Hodgson.

10.45am No1 green: M Taylor v L Bland,H Barnes v A Downing, B Ellis v M Paton, R Siddle v P Foy, R Foster v G Lomax.

The Valley are also hoping for a big entry in the Ogden Handicap to be held on Saturday July 18 at Bradshaw Park, with prelims at 9.30 and 1.30. The event will be completed in a day and entries close of July 10. Sponsors are Mr and mrs P Heaton of Denholme.

Also on sunday the Rycroft Trophy continues at Broughton road (12.00-3.30) and the Devon Classic is at 7pm.

Local teams to progress in the Yorkshire Parks Wood Cup, sponsored by Overseas Freight Services include Cononley, Keighley and Silsden B. The third round is on August 4.

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