ECCLESHILL have won the Howarth Cup after defeating Clayton in the final, while Asa Briggs B beat Tyersal in the Supplementary Cup decider.

The Bradford League's executive committee really need to look at the knockout competitions and find a way of increasing entries as only 12 teams entered this season's Howarth Cup. Maybe all clubs should be made to enter at least one team.

* CROSSGATES duo Gareth Lally and Mark Hughes were week six qualifiers in the Rastrick Classic.

Lally qualified with wins over Frank Griffin (Mirfield OB) 21-2, John McDonnell (Manchester) 21-15 and Neil Simpson (Ladyhill) 21-10 to progress to finals night.

Hughes made it through with victories over Clive Austin (Mirfield OB) 21-9, Terry Glover (Liverpool) 21-13 and team-mate Kez Smith 21-15.

The competition continues on Sunday with the penultimate round of qualifying.

First round: Michael Sweeney (Netherton) 11 John McDonnell (Manchester) 21, Gareth Lally (Crossgates) 21 Frank Griffin (Mirfield OB) 2, Roger Crowther (Longwood) 21 John Armitage (Littlemoor) 15, Neil Simpson (Littlemoor) 21 Ray Mortimer (Sheffield) 14, Clive Austin (Mirfield OB) 9 Mark Hughes (Crossgates) 21, Billy Smythe (Audenshaw) 15 Terry Glover (Liverpool) 21, Kez Smith (Crossgates) 21 Nigel Briggs (Spen Victoria) 16, Ashley Tattersley (Lower Hopton) 21 Marc Armitage (Littlemoor) 17. Second round: McDonnell 15 Lally 21, Crowther 10 Simpson 21, Hughes 21 Glover 13, Smith 21 Tattersley 17. Third round: Lally 21 Simpson 10 (draws No 2), Hughes 21 Smith 14 (draws No 7).

Week seven qualifying draw: Chris Brown (Woodlands), Thomas Boyd Jnr (Woodlands), Ian Vickers (Scholes), David Walker (Scholes), Chris Kelly (Thongsbridge), Ryan Clarke (Thongsbridge), Jon Wood (Crossgates), Mick Wood (Crossgates), Ira Jeffers (Crossgates), Danny Radcliffe (Bradley & Colne), Mark Connolly (Brighouse), Andy Cairns (Rossendale), Paul Mottram (Horbury WMC), Mark Regan (Brighouse), Neil Grant (Sale Excelsior), Justin Pegram (Shropshire).

* THONGSBRIDGE were crowned Yorkshire Cup winners after a convincing 234-137 victory over Crosland Moor in the final at Lindley Liberal Club.

Moor were never in the game as Thongsbridge got off to a great start with convincing wins from Mark Booth (21-5) and Jack Dyson (21-6) as Thongsbridge led by 24 chalks after four jacks.

The game was effectively over after eight jacks as Thongsbridge had extended their advantage to 73 chalks, with Andy Cairns (21-4) the pick of the winners.

Yet Thongsbridge were not done and finished the match in style with three more winners to triumph by a massive 97 chalks.

Thongsbridge 234 Crosland Moor 137 (Thongsbridge names first): Craig Gant 11 Gary Siswick 21, Mark Booth 21 Jason McMahon 5, Jack Dyson 21 Wayne Moseley 6, Richard Jackson 21 Terry Brook 18, Chris Kelly 21 John Webster 12, Ryan Clark 21 Mark Atkinson 12, Andy Cairns 21 Ross Mallinson 4, Ashley Daykin 21 John Greenhalgh 7, James Davison 21 Martyn Giles 12, Richard Atkin 21 Billy Shaw 12, Andy Sorsby 21 Jeff Normanton 7, Jonathan Seddon 13 Ray Whitwam 21.

* THE Spen Masters Invitational 16, sponsored by P&I Hopkins Butchers, takes place at Spen Victoria on Saturday from 5pm.

The sponsors are celebrating their 30th anniversary and are backing the Spen event for the eighth year running.

The competition has 16 of the best players competing for a first prize of £600 and total prize money is in the region of £1,500. Refreshments are available from 4pm, with the bar open from noon.

Draw: Wayne Ditchfield v Stuart King, Carl Armitage v Andrew Cairns, Graeme Wilson v Gary Ellis, Ashley Daykin v Kez Smith, Tommy Johnstone v Greg Smith, Paul Dudley v Robert Hitchen, Callum Wraight v Jack Dyson, Chris Mordue v Simon Coupe.

* THE Bradford Mixed Pairs Merit takes place at Cleckheaton Sports on Sunday, September 10.

Partners do not have to come from the same club but all bowlers must be registered in the Bradford League. Anyone interested should contact Martin Hayton on 07825-740281.

* THE Spen Floodlit League gets underway on Monday, September 11 with three divisions. Full fixtures can be found at www.bowlsnet.uk under 'Spen Floodlit League'.