Pudsey travelled back to Irlam on Sunday to play in the last eight of the British Crown Green Bowls Association World Team Championship.

In the quarter-final they were up against Birches Head Hotel, and despite being 20 behind after the first two blocks, Pudsey recovered to snatch victory by ten chalks, thanks to single-figure wins from Liam Griffin and Mick Smith.

In the semi-final, Pudsey played Garswood Hall, who took the early advantage.

Great wins from John Edmondson, Andy Hodgson and another single-figure win from Mick Smith saw Pudsey sneak into the lead with the last game on the green.

An exceptional performance from Garswood’s Nicky Shaw saw him nick the final few chalks to see them home by one point.

The final was a repeat of the 2010 Irlam final, with Garswood Hall taking on St Joseph’s.

St Josephs edged it by four to become the first club to have their name on the World Team trophy.

Yorkshire Ladies had a superb 445-398 win over South Yorkshire on Sunday in their first County Championship match of the season.

In the away match at Bradfield, Yorkshire carded six winners, with Amanda Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse, 21-8) and Helen Gilroy (Eccleshill, 21-10), the pick of them.

They did, however, lose the aggregate by only five points.

In the home match at Linthwaite Hall BC, Yorkshire carded an impressive ten winners to take the aggregate by 52 points.

Jean Gee (Marsh Utd, 21-10) and Susan Gibson (Lockwood Cons, 21-11) were the pick of the winners.

At Bradfield BC – S Haigh (Savile Park) 21-15, K Hill (Hanging Heaton) 21-13, L Whiteley (Hove Edge) 17-21, J Johnson (Ossett Flying Horse) 14-21, D Bray (Ossett Flying Horse) 21-12, L Rice (Savile Park) 6-21, A Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse) 21-8, L Dye (Castleford Town) 10-21, A Lunn-Gadd (Morton House) 21-20, P Wilkinson (West Park) 14-21, H Gilroy (Eccleshill) 21-10, S Gadd (West Park) 12-21; Yorkshire 199, South Yorkshire 204.

At Linthwaite Hall BC – L Gledhill (New Mill) 21-15, K Whitefoot (Marsh Utd) 18-21, J Best (Marsh Utd) 21-17, A Hinchliffe (Lockwood Cons) 21-18, K Gant (Meltham) 21-15, P Wilde (Lockwood Cons) 18-21, S Gibson (Lockwood Cons) 21-11, L Drury (New Mill) 21-12, J Gee (Marsh Utd) 21-10, A Ormsby (Meltham) 21-19, M Lockwood (Meltham) 21-19, A Buckley (New Mill) 21-16; Yorkshire 246, South Yorkshire 194.

Aire Wharfe made their debut in The Federation, with a match against Swadlincote.

They travelled to Newhall Social Club in South Derbyshire and faced a very fast and tricky up and down green.

To the surprise of the hosts, Aire Wharfe played tremendously, carding six away winners, with Guiseley duo Mick Hall (21-8) and Gary Whelan (21-12), helping them leave South Derbyshire with a 7-7 draw. The home match was played at Guiseley, where Aire Wharfe carded a superb nine winners, with Dave Rankin (Yeadon Park) the pick of them.

Aire Wharfe eased to a 9-3 victory, winning the home aggregate by 50 chalks to take the four bonus points and ensure a superb overall win of 22-10.

Aire Wharfe’s next match is against Doncaster A on Sunday, May 23, with the home match to be played at Shipley Club.

At Guiseley – J Benson (Rufford) 21-16, P Hepworth (Myrtle) 14-21, D Rankin (Yeadon Park) 21-7, T Southern (Shipley Club) 21-15, J Stockdale (Guiseley) 21-15, C Rhodes (Wharfemeadows) 21-9, E Holmes (Myrtle) 21-13, C Taylor (Ilkley) 21-15, M Barker (Myrtle) 16-21, R Benson (Rufford) 21-18, R Stockdale (Guiseley) 21-14, C Hight (Farsley) 16-21; Aire/Wharfe 235 (11), Swadlincote 185 (3).

At Newhall Social Club – G Whelan (Guiseley) 21-12, N Nicholson (Shipley Club) 18-21, S Ainley (Rufford) 21-16, B Lyons (Baildon) 14-21, N Howlett (Grove Hill) 12-21, D Carter (Guiseley) 21-19, K Lee (Yeadon Park) 20-21, D Kirkbright (Rufford) 21-19, R Waite (Guiseley) 21-14, D Norris (Yeadon Park) 10-21, J Preston (Shipley Club) 14-21, M Hall (Guiseley) 21-18; Aire Wharfe 214 (7), Swadlincote 214 (7).

The Yorkshire Parks Merit takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 2, with a start and scratch of 10am at Harold Club. Entry fee is £10, with entries currently being taken by Tony Riley on 01274-675409.

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