Drighlington were 35-point winners over Shipley Club in the HOWARTH CUP final at West Bradford.

A weakened Shipley team were unable to overturn their opponents’ 45-point handicap advantage after Drighlington started as favourites.

Royston Lewis was in top form to get Drighlington off to the perfect start with a 21-13 success and, with David Billington a 21-17 winner, they extended the lead to 47 points after four jacks.

Peter Mountain (21-14) and Stuart King (21-18) were early winners for Shipley Club. Ian Jacques then produced a great 21-5 effort and with further wins from John Sample (21-13) and Mick Gadd (21-15) offsetting Mark Smith’s 21-18 for Drighlington, Shipley had reduced the margin to 20 points to give themselves a chance.

But Lisa Rice, playing at number nine, had other ideas as she produced an excellent 21-5 win to seal victory for Drighlington.

John Preston finished with a narrow 21-20 victory for Shipley but it was Drighlington who lifted the title for the first time.

It was a fully deserved success and Shipley are certainly a club on the up. They have some excellent players and are big favourites for promotion from the Bartle League this season.

Drighlington (45) 214, Shipley Club (Scr) 179 (Drighlington names first): Stephen Horne 18, Stuart King 21; Royston Lewis 21, Sharon Gadd 13; Tony Carpenter 14, Peter Mountain 21; David Billington 21, Tony Spivey 17; Mark Smith 21, Tracy Preston 18; Trevor Worsman 5, Ian Jacques 21; Josh Gamble 13, John Sample 21; John Cash 15, Mick Gadd 21; Lisa Rice 21, Mick Kane 5; Robert Sharp 20, John Preston 21.

Greengates saw off the challenge of Birkenshaw to lift the KEITH MORGAN SUPPLEMENTARY CUP for the second time in three years.

Birkenshaw started with a 35-point handicap advantage and would have been happy to keep their lead at 23 points after four jacks.

Rod Bastow got Greengates off to a flying start with a 21-8 win and was ably assisted by Ken Johnson (21-12). But Birkenshaw fought back through Jack Holdsworth (21-15) and Ces Dalby (21-17) to keep them in touch.

The middle four games turned the match the way of Greengates, with Chris Lodge (21-6), Paul Ridealgh (21-7), Peter Wilson (21-12) and Stuart Wilson (21-15) doing the damage. David Griffiths produced a great 21-12 win for Birkenshaw but Greengates captain Richard Firth’s 21-10 effort ensured a comfortable 23-point overall victory.

Birkenshaw (55) 188, Greengates (20) 211 (Birkenshaw names first): Donald Whiteley 8, Rod Bastow 21; Mick Balmforth 12, Ken Johnson 21; Jack Holdsworth 21, Colin Rhodes 15; Ces Dalby 21, Bob Jeffrey 17; Eddie Mordue 15, Stuart Wilson 21; Laurie Taylor 6, Chris Lodge 21; Ann Ramsbottom 7, Paul Ridealgh 21; Stuart Blaylock 12, Peter Wilson 21; David Griffiths 21, Steve Bastow 12; Anthony Hatherley 10, Richard Firth 21.