LESS FOSTER clinched a thrilling victory in the Skipton Handicap final at Cononley on Sunday.

The Devonshire Club bowler narrowly beat David Leeming 21-20 in a classic final match to win the title for the first time. Losing semi-finalists were David Jacques and Mick Bastow.

Meanwhile on the Craven green Rob Ellis continued to improve and was far too good for Skipton secretary Peter Howarth, to claim a 21-5 victory in the final of the Ogden Trophy. It was a trying day for Howarth as he played in the Ogden competition and kept tabs on what was happening in the handicap event at Cononley. Semi-finalists in the Ogden Trophy were Pat Bugeja (Lund Park) and Wayne Smithies (Whinfield).

The Veterans' Inter-District team continues to struggle and are favouriteds to take the 'wooden spoon' again. The inevitable defeat by Huddersfield saw just three winners in Colin Wortley, Donald Varley and Dougie Stone. Their final game against West Riding is on April 1 and will provide little relief if urgent changes are not made.

The Valley Cup final will be between Steeton A who defeated favourites Devon A at Lund and Steeton B who defeated Lund A with the help of one winner, Eric 'Charlie' Chaplin. The final is on August 22.

The Supplementary final on August 15 will be between Craven A and Whins B who had comfortable wins over Highfield A and Oakworth A.

The Skipton Merit final will be at Keighley Bowling club on August 3, a rare visit of the competition to the local green, because Keighley usually have a team in the final line-up. This year's line-up features a strong North Yorkshire contingent.

The Clarkson cup semi-finals are on July 28 featuring Whinfield A v Foulridge (at Steeton) and Devon B v Silsden PF B at Grassington. The final is at Settle on August 11.

Cross Roads face Littlemoor in the last eight of the Yorkshire Cup on Saturday. The club is well placed in the Halifax League, have the Valley League sewn up and almost home and dry in the Hebden League.

Here in Division One they are well clear of, amongst others, Oxenhope a in third place while Haworth, Whins wood and Denhoome A remain in mid-table. Oakworth, Lund a and Cullingworth A are all locked in a battle to avoid relegation.

Cross Roads B, the only local team in Division Two are handily placed for promotion, but have a bit to do to catch Mytholmroyd WMC.

Lund Park B sit proudly on top of Division Three, but have two Sowerby teams and Oxenhope B right behind. Cullingworth B, Denholme B and Cross Roads C remain mid-table.

The popular and well-travelled pairing of David and Mary Hemsley (Oxenhope) enjoyed some deserved success recently, winning the Sailaway Mixed Pairs at Ribchester.

Today (Friday) s a big day for the Valley Federation team as they meet the Heavy Woollen area in the deciding match in Division Seven shoot out. The home team play at Devon where full support is needed, and the away team, captained by Barry Uttley, travel to Heckmondwike. The locals face a difficult task, but a victory at Devon could see them home.