THE Worth Valley League's first cup competition, the Keighley Merit, is to be played at Whins Wood on Sunday.

The competition, sponsored by Brian Potts (Decorators) of Oxenhope, gets underway at 9.30 and the draw is- 9.30am: P Anderson v J Haker, A Bowning v K Wordless, Lummax v J Greenbank, R Smith v K Coppen. 10.15am: C Harrison v P Robinson, J D Smith v Orville, A Coppen v E Barnes, L A Wood v L Buxton. 11.00am: S Pickup v Action Man, A Johnson v G Foster, C Wortley v T Brinton, Gus v S Wilkins. 11.30: K Harrison v C Barnes, B Brinton v G Johnson.

The Harden Sunday morning knockout continues on Sunday (April 24) at the quarter-final stage. Remaining local teams include Oakworth, Cross Roads A and Denholme.

Already local bowlers are tasting success further afield and pride of place must go to the evergreen Ken Brenley of Cross Hills who excelled winning the Hove Edge One Day Open, easily accounting for David Tinker, the South Leeds classic winner, in the final.

In the mixed doubles world, rising stars Viv Ambrose and Mick Bastow (Craven) won the Caton Bay event whilst Oxenhope's David and Mary Hemsley were also successful in a similar event at Pleasington, Blackburn.

The Skipton Area League begins on Tuesday with several familiar teams missing. Reorganisation has meant there will be three divisions of 15 teams, which will no doubt be closely contested. Holders Keighley are expected to lead the charge in Division One together with Cononley, Silsden Playing Fields A and Devon.

Qualifiers in the Waterloo Spring Handicap include Trevor Hargreaves and Brian Harrison while Phillip Dowgill of Cross Hills has been chosen by the Yorks ABA to represent them in the annual friendly against the Civil Service at Hillcrest on April 24.