Guiseley's Mick Hall made the most of a fantasic Greengates bowling surface to lift the 2004 Chatha's-sponsored Bradford Merit.

Hall had made light work of some very tough opponents, defeating Horsforth Woodside's star man Gary Wike 21-14 in the quarter-finals and Spen Victoria's Paul Blackburn 21-10 in the semis.

Blackburn probably bowled his best game in his quarter-final against Wibsey's Nigel Wormald which went down to the wire, Blackburn just edging it 21-20.

Pudsey Britannia's Andy Woodhead was as passionate as ever as he slid through to the semi-finals with a 21-13 win over Wibsey's other qualifier, Alan Clayton. In the last four Woodhead faced Hospital Handicap winner Nino Esposito, who had previously removed Low Moor Harold's Neil Tordoff from the draw, winning 21-10.

On paper Woodhead - a Premier League bowler with Pudsey Britannia - should have wiped the floor with Nino - a Division Four bowler with Lister - but Esposito is happiest when in the corners, and he was there at every available moment. Even though Woodhead found a short mark over the crown which netted him a large haul of points, a couple of stray leads let Nino back in to finish the game off 21-15 and book himself a place in another final - for the record, the last player to achieve a Hospital Handicap/Bradford Merit double was Peel's Peter Walker in 1962.

As expected Nino headed for the corners, though Hall was able to reagain the jack and open up an early 9-4 lead.

Esposito came back as expected, but it was at this point that Hall stepped up a gear. Bowling short marks falling off the crown, Hall was magnificent, with every lead wood within a foot of the jack, and he went on to clinch a 21-12 victory.

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"Ladyhill win again" should be the headline as the Hill-Billy's went on the rampage at home to Rufford A in the Premier League. Their unbeaten streak now stands at two games!

Billy Clark's 21-1 was the highlight of the day, but there were also big wins for Richard Bloodworth (21-4) and Graham Lomax (21-9).

Eccleshill managed two games last week, their narrow 16-14 win over Pudsey Britannia A was eclipsed by a fantastic 22-8 away win at Spen Victoria.

Eccleshill ran in eight winners in what will be seen as a bit of a shock.

Steven Gilroy's 21-6 for Clayton A spared some of their blushes as they lost 17-13 at Littlemoor. Paul Cousins was on form for Littlemoor with a 21-8 win.

Pudsey Britannia and Pudsey Ltd met in a local derby which Britannia won 19-11, Andy Woodhead top-scoring for Britannia (21-5).

Graham Clare's 21-7 ensured Queensbury A got off to a good start in their game at home to Wibsey A in the Godwin League, Graham Dytiche also performing well with a 21-9 for Queensbury in their 24-6 win.

Eccleshill B continued their good form with a 25-5 home win over Guiseley, Paul Hill (21-4) the pick.

Peter Walker's 21-3 and Vince Cleary (21-6) helped Peel A to a 23-7 home win over high-flying Bramley Libs.

Knowles A started off well at home to Wyke, who hit back through Steve Ward (21-2) and Len Hanson (21-5) to win 17-13.

Game of the day in the Observer League was the basement battle between Drighlington and Haworth. Brian Green-wood opened with a 21-2 win for Haworth, and things were looking good untill Drig's Mick Dickinson replied with a 21-3. Keith Murgatroyd then slipped in a 21-8 to guarantee a win for Drig.

Eric Chadwick's 21-8 was just one of eight winners for Pudsey Ltd B in their 23-7 demolition of Woodside A, and Greengates struggled at home yet again, drawing 15-15 with Heckmondwike. Greengates' Paul Ridealgh, who is flying high in the league averages, bailed his team out yet again, winning 21-5.

Ann Billington's 21-7 for Spen Victoria B was just one of a number of good results as they beat Crowghyll at home 23-7. Crowghyll faired a little better against Brighouse B at home managing a 15-15 draw.

Bowling Park A look to be making a move in the Bartle League thanks to another fine home display, a 24-6 win against Peel B, Syd Spencer and Steve Riddell both winning 21-8 for Bowling.

Royd House won 21-9 away at Clayton, Cliff White doing some of the damage with his 21-5. Margaret Lee's 21-5 for Lister A helped them to a 19-11 home win over Oakenshaw A, and John Arundel's 21-6 helped Rufford B to a 20-10 win at home to Bowling A.

Littlemoor bowler Eileen Esgate's rich vein of form finally came to an end in a 20-10 defeat by Low Moor and Tyersal stayed in the leading pack with a 22-8 win over Peel B, George Page top-scoring with a 21-5.

West had a topsy-turvey couple of days in the Haigh League. They entertained Wyke B in their first game and won with ease 25-5 thanks to a couple of 21-6 wins from Pauline Wilkinson and Shiela Holdsworth. It was a different tale a day later though as West lost 24-6 to Armley Cons B, Diane Dibb (21-12) one of only two winning cards for West.

Brian Kettle steamed to a 21-3 win for Harold Park as they ran riot at home to Horton, winning 24-6. Connie Guy was also a 21-3 winner for Pudsey Britannia as they did something not many teams will do this season, win at Stanningley, 17-13 the final score, and Barry Durrans 21-7 for Bradford Moor wasn't enough to stop them going down 18-12 at home to Stanningley.

Bob Corner was a 21-3 winner for Knowles B in their 18-12 win at Woodside B in the Riley League. Saville Kershaw was also a 21-3 winner for Queensbury B as they slipped to a narrow 17-13 defeat at Eccleshill C. Eccleshill C slipped to a defeat of their own a day later, though this was a little heavier, a 23-7 loss away to Drighlington B - Drighlington redeeming themselves for a 21-9 defeat a day earlier to Guiseley B.

Pudsey Ltd C had the result of the day in the Field Packaging League, romping to a 24-6 win at home to Shelf B thanks in part to Mick Tobin (21-4), Bryan Bonnington (21-4) and Robert Morris (21-5). Birkenshaw were 17-13 home winners against Cleckheaton Sports, Cyril and Betty Dalby both winning 21-8. Eileen Willoughby's 21-7 helped Horton to a 19-11 win at home to Bailiff Bridge, and Arthur Rooney's 21-8 for Peel C wasn't enough to stop them slipping to a narrow defeat away to Oakenshaw B.

Annie Wragg was a 21-6 winner for Bowling Park B as they turned over an in-form Lister B side 22-8 in the Mellor League. West Bradford shared the points with Brackenhill while Horton C and Asa Briggs C fought out a close game which Horton snatched 16-14.

Queensbury C went the way of so many other sides as they visited Royd House in the Moorhouse League. Royd House won the game 20-10, though Queensbury's B Tofts did produce the score of the game with a magnificent

21-1.

Jan Boots' 21-7 helped Peel D as they defeated Shipley Club 20-10, and Bowling C posted an 18-12 home win thanks to big wins from Paul Archer (21-4) and Peggy North (21-6). John Pitts (21-6) and Elaine Farrow (21-7) ensured a home win for Bradford Moor B in their game against Wibsey D, and a 21-3 for Garry Sugden helped Bailiff Bridge to a 18-12 home win over Lister C.