THE first round of the West Riding Cup takes place on Saturday as the new bowls season gets under way.

The highlight of the draw is a repeat of last season's final between Pudsey A and Crossgates, which takes place at Ossett Flying Horse.

The draw for the next round will take place at Cleckheaton Moorend WMC on Monday, April 3 (7.45pm), with matches taking place on Friday, April 7.

First-round draw: Guiseley v Lower Hopton B at Cleckheaton Sports (back green), Pudsey A v Crossgates at Ossett Flying Horse, Mirfield Old Bank A v Pudsey B at Spen Victoria (bottom green), Littlemoor A v Ossett Flying Horse at Lower Hopton, Littlemoor B v Brighouse Sports A at Rastrick, Clayton v Spen Victoria B at Elland C&BC, Spen Victoria A v Morton House at Mirfield Old Bank, Mirfield Old Bank B v Lower Hopton A at Cleckheaton Moorend, Shipley Club v Cleckheaton Sports B at Pudsey BC, Elland C&BC v Cleckheaton Moorend at Littlemoor, Harold Club v Eccleshill at Shipley Club, Brighouse Sports B v Rastrick at Guiseley. Bye: Cleckheaton Sports A.

* THE Yorkshire Parks Merit, sponsored by John Summers (Family Butchers) and Beacon Road Fisheries, takes place on Friday, April 14 at Hove Edge WMC with a total of 64 entries. The action gets under way at 10am with matches on both greens.

It is likely that semi-finalists and probably losing quarter-finalists will automatically qualify for the British Parks Individual Merit on Sunday, August 13 at Wem Bowling Club in Bowensfield, Shropshire.

Bottom green (10am): Chris Ellis v Mark Holmes, Andrew Tate v Neil Tordoff, Tom Gasson v Kieren Smith, Lorraine Hirst v Stuart Hanson, Simon Leeming v Andrea Buckley, Scott Haynes v Andy Fowler.

Top green (10am): Richard Bentley v Trevor Gasson, Nicky White v Ian Vickers, Mark Regan v Jason Barker, Ian Smith v Alan Mazurke, Frank Griffin v Michael Sweeney, John Armitage v Jordan Brown.

Bottom green (10.45am): Mally Fowler v Mark Connolly, David Moore v Chris Firth, James Hanson v Chris Wilson, Rob Whitfield v Suzy Ladbrooke, Jon Edmondson v Karen Hill.

Top green (10.45am): Mick Angus v Chris Mordue, Jack Summers v Brian Thompson, Mick Armitage v Tom Hanson, Gareth Coates v Neil Simpson, Nigel Briggs v Tom Harney.

Bottom green (11.30am): Mick Hall v Adam Wider, Josh Mordue v Trevor Benn, Paul Burke v Marc Armitage, Andy Walker v Mick Skwarek, David Scott v Tony Riley.

Top green (11.30am): Julie Mallinson v Peter Ellis, Paul Hillam v Gary Wike, Paul Gill v Richard Hargreaves, Liam Griffin v Alan Peel, David Hemsley v Gordon Bradford.

Anyone unable to play should notify Tony Riley on 01274-675409 or 07791-516629.

* SKIPTON Craven are running a one-day competition on Sunday with a total of 32 entries. The action gets under way at 10am, with staggered start times. Hot food is available throughout the day.

10am: Danny Teale, Mick Duke, Vince Pickersgill, Simon Teale, Gary Hodge, David Hemsley, Kevin Burnett, Mick Hall.

10.45am: Tom Cater, Stewart MacDonald, Stephen Walker, Richard Hargreaves, John Spinks, Barry Turnbull, Luke Teale.

11.15am: James Teale, Derek Seed, Danny Teale, Paul Worsnop, Gary Whelan, Mel Titorenko, Martyn Loftus, Len Lee.

11.45am: Dave Norris, Gordon Waddington, Paul Hillam, Joe Stockdale, David Smith, Nathan Dobson, Gary Foulkes, Billy Cater.

If any of the above players cannot make it, they should contact Mick Demain on 07745-346296 or Rob Ellis on 07463-489044.

* THE Bradford Saturday League starts on Saturday, April 8, with fixtures in the Godwin, Observer, Bartle and Haigh divisions.

The Godwin section looks a tough one to call this year, with Spen Victoria A and a new strong team from Hove Edge making for a strong competition.

Ladyhill A and Wyke A, relegated from the top division last season, will be looking for a quick return – but Guiseley A, Rufford A, Pudsey B and Akroydon Victoria A, as well as the new teams, will all feel they can challenge for the top two spots.

Eccleshill B look like being pre-season favourites for the Observer division after last season's relegation from the Godwin.

With the players Eccleshill have recruited, they will be looking for a quick return – as will Brighouse Sports B, who were also relegated last season. Greengates may run them both close as they look to improve on last season's third place.

Clubs are reminded that a list of members (as per competition rule three) should be sent by the end of tomorrow and a list of registered players (as per competition rules 13 and 14) by Saturday, April 8 to registrar/fixture secretary John Preston by e-mail to johnap@mail.com.