Silsden Ladies almost stuck a superb blow for Yorkshire on Sunday at a national event in Morecambe.

The ladies team were taking part in the final of the British Ladies Bowling Championship at a decidedly chilly Morecambe.

The ladies side beat Greater Manchester in the first round of the event before recording a win against arch-rivals Lancashire in round two.

Having managed to make their way to the final, the West Yorkshire side were then comfortably beaten to St Osdwald's of Cheshire at Regents Park.

Due to fading light the games were played on two greens some distance apart.

They then moved onwards to Regents Park for the semi-final and victory over Stoke/Coventry.

However, the final against St Oswald's proved to be a bridge too far for Silsden who nonetheless could return home with their heads held high after a truly excellent effort.

Liz Bland -- despite being without her coach -- won all her games to be justifiably crowned the best player of the day for Silsden.

The final score was St Oswald's 151, Silsden 123.

Silsden Ladies wish to thank all the supporters who made the journey to the coast.

Elsewhere, the Valley Cup Knockout event begins on Saturday when Steeton A, the holders, meet Cross Roads B at Oakworth.

All losers from this round of the Valley Cup are eligible and and enter for the Supplementary Cup which is scheduled to take place on May 22.

The draw and venues for the Valley Cup Knockout is as follows:

Steeton B v Highfield A (Keighley); Lund B v Denholme (Haworth); Bradshaw B v Lund A (Cullingworth); Lund C v Sutton B (Highfield), Crosshills v Silsden PF (Steeton); Cullingworth v Cross Roads A (Bradshaw); Whins B v Highfield B (Lund Hall); Haworth v Whins A (Cross Roads); Craven A v Keighley (Silsden PF); Oakworth v Craven B (Sutton); Sutton A v Bradshaw (Whins)

All matches take place on Saturday.

The Yorkshire Cup also begins on Saturday with top local side Cross Roads receiving a bye following last year's exploits.

Sutton meet Farsley at Hillcrest while Crosshills meet West End at the famous Whinfield Old Bank green.

The winners then go through to the next round of matches in the Yorkshire Cup which take place on May 22.

All first round losers enter the Henry Taylor Cup.

There is also a new mixed team event this season running concurrently with the Yorkshire Cup.

Whin Wood are the only local side left in the competition.

The Hebden Royd Sunday Morning Knockout also continues this Sunday with Oakworth and Lund Park in the last eight of the event.

The Yorkshire ABA have their annual game against the Civil Service on Sunday at Hillcrest. Top local player David Codwolloder, Graham Lomax and Phil Anderton get a chance to impress the selectors. Skipton events begin with the Spring Handicap preliminaries on Sunday at 6.45.

Greens in use are Keighley, Silsden, Silsden PF and Steeton. The final takes place on May 2nd.