BBA carded seven winners in their 22-8 home win over Rufford B in the BARTLE section of the Bradford Saturday League.

Norris Briggs (21-5) led the way, with Graham Milthorpe (21-7) and Philip Rayner (21-9) providing the other highlights. Brian Tighe produced a great 21-3 success for Pudsey C to help ensure a narrow 17-13 home win over Queensbury A. A low-scoring game saw Harold Club leave Lister with an 18-12 win after carding six away winners. Newcomers Hipperholme & Lightcliffe edged home 17-13 against Eccleshill C, while Clayton B beat Oakenshaw A 19-11 and Tyersal A defeated Harold Park 18-12.

Brian Smith produced a captain’s performance with a 21-8 win for Wyke B at Bowling A as his side produced a 17-13 success in the HAIGH division. Greengates B and Stanningley shared five winners each as the hosts edged it 16-14. The other two matches saw emphatic 22-8 home wins as Bradford Moor A beat Birkenshaw and Cleckheaton Moorend saw off Horton A.

In the RILEY section, David Birks carded a superb 21-1 win and was ably assisted by Barry Brown (21-7) and Steve Pickersgill (21-9) as Armley Cons beat Wibsey B 20-10, for whom Thomas Bailey showed some resistance with a 21-6 effort. Cleckheaton Sports A look a stronger team this season and opened with a 23-7 win over Rufford C, thanks in the main to Christine Bartle (21-2) and Janice Walton (21-5). West Bradford A are another strengthened team, with several bowlers moving from Lister, and it showed during an impressive 23-7 defeat of Peel B. Guiseley B beat West Royd 21-9 and Queensbury B got the better of Drighlington B by the same margin.

Bailiff Bridge A stunned Oakenshaw B in the FIELD PACKAGING division with a great 25-5 away win, carding an impressive eight winners. Asa Briggs C were comfortable 22-8 home winners over Thornton, who have entered a team into the Saturday League for the first time.

Brackenhill B could only muster one winner as they went down 27-3 at Horsforth Woodside B. The other two games saw 17-13 verdicts as Tyersal B and Wibsey C won at Horton B and Guiseley C respectively.

Cleckheaton Sports B carded a 28-0 whitewash at Bailiff Bridge B in the MELLOR division and will surely take some stopping this summer. Salts, made up of relatively new bowlers, opened up with a 23-5 home win over Shelf B on their return to the Saturday League. Peel C had a narrow 15-13 win at Shipley Club B thanks to Shirley Wood’s 21-5 success and despite a great 21-4 from Jean Peart for the hosts. West Bradford B appear to be benefiting from an influx of new players, winning 16-14 at Queensbury C. Wibsey D and Bowling C were comfortable home winners over Bradford Moor B (20-8) and Bowling B (19-9) respectively.

* The Airedale & Wharfedale League have entered a team into the Federation for the first time and open against Swadlincote on Sunday, with the home match to be played at Guiseley.

Further matches follow against Doncaster A on Sunday, May 22, South Lakes on Sunday, June 26 and Bolton A on Sunday, August 21.

* Pudsey play in the last eight of the BCGBA World Team Championship on Sunday at Irlam Steel Recreation & Social Club, having qualified a couple of weeks ago. They play Birches Head Hotel, from the Potteries, in the quarter-finals and face a possible meeting with South Yorkshire side Meersbrook in the semis.

* The semi-finals of the West Riding Cup take place on Friday, with Pudsey A facing Morton House at Brighouse Sports and Brighouse Sports A up against Crossgates at Spen Victoria (top green).

In the Pilling Cup semi-finals, Overthorpe play Hollies S&SC at Spen Victoria (bottom green) and Pudsey B tackle Ossett Flying Horse at Cleckheaton Sports.

* Clubs are reminded to send a list of registered players (for Saturday, Monday Evening, Wednesday Half-Holiday and Wednesday Pairs Leagues) to registrar John Preston as the deadline has now passed.

* Entries are already being taken for the Howarth Cup, Pairs Knock-out and Four-a-Side Knock-out competitions. Clubs should apply to John Preston before Sunday, May 1.

* The Yorkshire Parks Merit takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2 with a start and scratch time of 10am at Harold Club. The entry fee is £10 to Tony Riley on 01274-675409.