AFTER over 13 hours of play under the blazing sun at Silsden Playing Fields the Valley's leading Lady Mixed Pairs event was won by Anne and Keith Coppen of Silsden.

They narrowly defeated Less Foster (Cross Roads) and Jean Smith (Keighley) 21-18 in an exciting, but exhausting, final.

As the temperatures soared the Silsden clubhouse became and oasis, whilst the winners - still aching - admitted spending the night under a mosquito net.

Losing in the semi-finals were Ken and 'Ma' Baker and Tony and Pat Bugeja.

Even Les Foster was affected by the heat, wandering round all day telling anyone who would listen that he had beaten your bowls correspondent 21-14 in a league match earlier in the week.

To anyone who is remotely interested I can confirm the result: Les Foster 21, Roy Sanderson 14.

Ken and Ma baker made up for their disappointment by winning the Hebden Bridge Veterans Open Pairs for the second time, defeating Maurice Ormerod and Peter Cousins 15-11 at Todmorden Park.

The Craven Classic was won in exciting style by Matt Bower (Sheffield) who defeated Paul Bailey (Cannock) 21-16 in the final.

There was no real local success in the Yorkshire Parks Merit Finals at a deserted Spen Victoria as both local representatives, Garry Foster and Graham Lummax, lost in the first round. Past winners on several occasions, Roman Hrabar (Myrtle Park) reached the final yet again, only to lose 20-21 to Ian Briggs (Cleckheaton), a player he had already beaten in the qualifying stages.

The Yorkshire Parks set-up leaves a lot to be desired and local representation in their county teams seems to have almost disappeared.

In a recent game against Greater Manchester only Phillip Dowgill represented the local area and won on his debut. He represents the area against he East Midlands on Sunday aware at Belvedere and is joined by a recalled Graham Lummax and Richard Dunhill. The home leg is at Pudsey.

There is also local District action in the Federation League as the Valley League take on Furness in Division Four. The usual 'away team' play at home at Silsden PF and the 'home squad' travel to Barrow. Both matches start at 2pm and a much better effort is needed to record a victory.

The Vets Inter-District team are in action again today (Friday) when they take on the West Riding with a home leg at Whinfield. Their opponents, usually a strong team, have struggled this season so there is some hope for the locals.

Cross Roads A's grip on the Halifax Division One title slipped recently and they remain in third place some way behind Lancton. Their old rivals Oxenhope, Cross Roads B and Oakworth are bunched together in Division Two behind Laurel Crescent A and Denholme remain a narrow second in Division Five will behind leaders Hill Crest C.

Valley Handicap entries close on Monday, ring K Harrison to book a place. The competition is at Keighley Bowling Club on July 31.