HUDDERSFIELD'S Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Cowcliffe Libs) almost had a national trophy to show for her suffering on Saturday.

The Cowcliffe Libs member overcame strong back pain to win five rounds of the British Crown Green Ladies' Merit at Pennfields only to lose 21-7 in the final to Nicola Boulton (Mid Cheshire).

Alexis was one of seven Yorkshire competitors who qualified by reaching the quarter finals of the Yorkshire Ladies' Merit.

Her victories were over Olive Pass (North Shropshire) 21-13, Amanda Nicholas (North Wales ) 21-18, Doris Cargill (Cheshire) 21-8, Janet Needham (South Derbyshire) 21-8 and Viv Raddy (Mid-Cheshire) 21-12.

Karen Whitefoot (Marsh United) was a quarter-finalist, beating Caroline Buchell (Cumbria), Catherine Rogers (Wales) 21-16 and Lynsey Gorman (Wirral) 21-20 before losing to Sarah Fletcher (Dudley & District) 21-17.

Andrea Buckley (New Mill) reached the third round, defeating Sylvia Bradbury (Cheshire) 21-15 and Jean Bancroft (North Shropshire) 21-9 before losing to Tracey Ryan (Shropshire) 21-17.

Cathy Rushton (Gargrave) beat Rosie Winckle (Isle of Man) 21-11 before losing 21-17 to Boulton, while Dawn Bray (Ossett Flying Horse) had a close first game against former winner Maggie Barnes (North Midlands) 21-20 before going on to beat Sarah Weaver (North Shropshire) 21-6 and Emily Kernick (Warwick & Worcester), a rising 15-year old, 21-18 before losing 21-18 to Viv Raddy.

Linda Gledhill (New Mill) was unfortunate to lose 21-20 in her opening game against Alyson Evans (North Warwickshire).