The Bradford Saturday League got under way at the weekend for the top three divisions. In the Naylor Premier League, Eccleshill A started with ten winners against a weakened Cross Roads team, recording a 26-4 home win.

Pudsey A were also big home winners, with a 24-6 win over promoted Asa Briggs A, with captain Paul Bowes (21-7), the pick of eight home winners. Ladyhill A got off to a flier over newly-promoted Rufford A thanks to Scott Bloodworth (21-4), Richard Bloodworth (21-6) and Andy Woolner (21-8). Rufford’s David Kirkbright (21-3) helped them to a respectable 12 points.

In the other two matches, Brighouse Sports A edged out 2011 champions Crossgates 17-13, while Pudsey Littlemoor A defeated Clayton A 19-11.

In the Godwin League, Shipley Club A beat Pudsey B 20-10, with Ian Jacques (21-5) and David Jacques (21-7) both on top form. Steve Bastow, on his return to Pudsey, played superbly to record a 21-6 away win, which helped Pudsey to an unexpected ten points. Greengates A opened up with an impressive 22-8 home win over Pudsey Littlemoor B, thanks to on-song Stuart Wilson (21-0) and Paul Ridealgh (21-7).

Guiseley A won by the same score against Brighouse Sports B, with David Leather leading the way with a 21-6 victory. Eccleshill B, who just missed out on promotion last season, carded seven away winners at Wyke A, winning 21-9, to show they are looking to improve on last season’s third place.

Cranmore edged a 16-14 win at Hollies S & SC, winning the aggregate by eight chalks.

Hove Edge A showed their intent in the Observer League, with a 27-3 demolition of Queensbury A.

New team Whitkirk found it tough going at Drighling-ton A but they managed four winners as they went down 19-11. Horsforth Woodside A beat Crowghyll A 21-9, and could well be in with a shout, come the end of the season, especially if they have good home form. Peel A were also comfortable home winners, with a 20-10 success over Heckmondwike. Asa Briggs B made it a clean sweep of home wins in the Obersver League, with six home winners in an 18-12 win over Hightown.

Crossgates are still in with a chance of a cup double, as their A team play Lower Hopton A in the final of the West Riding Cup, while their B team play Ossett Flying Horse in the final of the Pilling Cup. Both matches are to be played on Friday evening at Elland C & BC, with the main event on the club green and the Pilling Cup final on the car park green.

West Riding Cup semi-finals: Lower Hopton A 231, Pudsey A 199; Crossgates A 236, Mirfield Old Bank A 186.

Pilling Cup semi-finals: Cleckheaton Sports A 178, Crossgates B 199; Ossett Flying Horse 236, Pudsey B 204.

Draw for final of the West Riding Cup (Crossgates A names first) – Mark Taylor v James Hanson, James Wilcox v Robert Hitchen, Jon Wood v Ian Booth, Jon Wilcox v Lee Schofield, David Lowe v Graham Hickey, Peter Wilcox v Stephen Pinfield, Terry Kelly v Craig Newton, Ira Jeffers v Roy Nicholson, Mark Hughes v Graham Higgins, Steven Gilroy v Adrian Leach, Kieren Smith v Liam Griffin, Nigel Cranston v Graeme I Wilson.

Draw for final of the Pilling Cup (Crossgates B names first) – Adam Conlon v Gary Amatt, Desmond Kearney v David Burns, Warren Wilson v David Edwards, Gareth Lally v Mark Lewis, Kevin Larner v David Price, Steven Mason v Ray Deveraux, Joe Cranston v Gary Foulkes, Chris Firth v Graham Blenkinsop, Jon Schofield v Kris Shuttleworth, Colin Scorah v Kevin Burns, Mick Wood v David Poole, Ashley Wilcock v Ian Shuttleworth.

Bradford Juniors A got off to a winning start on their return to the top division of the Saturday Evening Junior Inter District League with a 7-3 victory at Pontefract Bowling Club against Castleford.

Bradford got off to a good start through Robbie Ellis (Pudsey Littlemoor) and Tom Lawrence (Pudsey), carding 21-5 and 21-16 wins respectively. But Castleford hit back with Ellis Owen beating Marc Armitage (Pudsey Littlemoor) and Jennifer Hill beating Chris Jacques (Shipley Club). Both games were very tight throughout and finished 21-17 to the home players.

But Bradford responded emphatically with Jack Bowes (Pudsey), Matthew Jacques (Shipley Club) and Ashley Southwell (Asa Briggs) producing consistent performances, winning 21-12, 21-7 and 21-14.

Castleford gained a consolation late on with Danny Moxon edging Josh Mordue (Brighouse Sports) 21-20.

With Bradford winning the aggregate 159-113, on top of five winners, the final result was 7-3.

Next week sees Bradford A embark on a tricky away trip to Rothwell Bowling Club to take on a strong Leeds A side.

The 2012 Spen Press Challenge Cup, sponsored by Siddal Colour, gets underway on Friday, May 4 with the qualifying round.

Draw: Rastrick B (45) v The Hollies (10) at Mirfield Old Bank; Mirfield Old Bank C (40) v Pudsey BC (Scr) at Harold Club; Harold Club (20) v Cleckheaton Sports A (15) at Rastrick; Western Flatts (30) v Drighlington (30) at The Hollies.

Round One (on Friday, May 18) – Rastrick B (45) or The Hollies (10) v Mirfield Old Bank C (40) or Pudsey BC (Scr) at Royds Park; Harold Club (20) or Cleckheaton Sports A (15) at Pudsey BC; Royds Park (35) v Rastrick A (20) at Cleckheaton Sports; Cleckheaton Sports E (80) v Mirfield Old Bank A (Scr) at Drighlington; Cleckheaton Sports D (45) v Mirfield Old Bank B (30) at Hightown; Cleckheaton Sports B (30) v Gildersome (45) at The Hollies; Hightown (25) v Cleckheaton Sports C (40) at Harold Club; Ossett Flying Horse (10) v Spen Victoria (15) at Rastrick.

Clubs are reminded that May 1st is the deadline for entries to the Howarth Cup, the Pairs KO (sponsored by Leeming & Peel Ltd), and the Four-a-Side KO (sponsored by Kolorco (Printers)). Any club interested should contact John Preston on 07746-716183.