Brighouse's Tony Riley lifted this year's Britannia Developments-sponsored Wednesday Merit after a hard fought final against Steve Pickles.

Pickles had looked a likely winner after opening up an 18-13 lead, but Riley dug deep to record a 21-18 triumph and take the title for the second time in his career.

In the semi-finals, Pickles overcame Eccleshill's Adam Mellor and David Burns, who had been in great form all day, narrowly failed to make it to the final, losing 21-19 to Riley.

Due to the success of the Wednesday Merit it is believed that Britannia Developments will now extend their association with the competition.

Into the Naylor Premier League and Chris Mordue looks like he has got over his shock defeat to Jimmy Hearne after a 21-8 win over Littlemoor's Billy Holdsworth, Brighouse despatching Littlemoor 24-6 in a very impressive display by the champions.

Eccleshill B saw off the threat of Pudsey Britannia with an 18-12 win, Adam Mellor (21-7) and Andy Gilroy (21-10) the pick of their bowlers. However, the Eccleshill A side had it far from all their own way as they were sunk 23-7 away to Armley Cons A.

A fine 21-14 win for Queensbury's Joan Law couldn't stop the Crossroads juggernaut, Queensbury fighting hard but going down 20-10 in the Godwin League.

Andy Denton (21-8), Mick Sansom

(21-8) and Stuart King (21-9 over Trevor Benn) all hit form at the right time for Asa Briggs in their 22-8 win at home to Wyke. Rufford A had Steve Ainley

(21-3) to thank as they beat Bramley Libs A 21-9, and Fred Middleton also romped to a 21-3 win as Brighouse and Spen Vic B shared the points.

Wibsey A were no pushovers as they played hosts to Observer League leaders Crossgates. Alan Clayton (21-6) was one of three early winners for Wibsey, though strength in depth told in the end, with Crossgates edging the game 17-13. Margaret Hinchcliffe and Mark Holden were both 21-5 winners as Royd House A beat Horsforth Woodside A 21-9, and Gordon Preston (21-5) was the pick of the winners for Salts A as they beat Low Moor Harold 21-9.

After two heavy defeats in the Bartle League, Stanningley got back to winning ways with a 22-8 home win over Clayton B. Clayton's Tommy McCarthy should have felt at home, especially on a green frequently descibed as a rugby field, however he was unfortunate to draw a home banker in Mabel Shaw, who made light work of McCarthy to win 21-4.

Pudsey Littlemoor B are taking advantage of their lightning fast greens and thrashing all-comers. West visited last week and came away with only three points, Paul Farquharson (21-4) and Alan Mazurke (21-6) sending Littlemoor clear at the top of the table.

Wendy Shimbles (21-5) was on form in Tyersal's 25-5 win over Lister A, and Bowling A's Andrew Denninson (21-5) and Drighlington's Mick Dickinson

(21-6) livened up a dismal draw at Bowling Park.

Spen Ex posted nine winning cards as they walloped Armley Cons B in the Haigh League, Kath Maguire (21-4) and Mick Maguire (21-8) helping their team towards a hefty margin. Bramley Libs B were 22-8 winners at home to Peel B thanks in part to the Wilkinson duo of Joan (21-5) and Norman (21-7). Judy Cockroft (21-4) was the pick of Horton A's winners in an 18-12 home win over Asa Briggs B, and Brice Watson

(21-6) showed he is still a class act for Wyke B with a 21-6 victory in their 19-11 win at home to Bradford Moor A.

Geoff Birkenshaw (21-6) helped BBA to a 21-9 win at home to Wibsey in the Riley League. That scoreline was also achieved by Guiseley B, who beat Shelf A thanks to a 21-9 win for Guiseley's Charles Kirk. West Bradford A came a cropper as they travelled to Troydale, Colin Barraclough (21-5), Bavid Bolton (21-6) and Barnard Palmer (21-9) ensuring a 23-7 win for the home team.

A superb 21-6 win for Peel C's Peter Boots couldn't prevent his side from slipping to a 20-10 defeat away to Drighlington B in the Field Packaging League. Barbara Venohr (21-5) was on fire yet again for Horton B, who also had Eileen Willoghby (21-7) and Christine Johnson (21-8) winners but still went down 17-13 away to Lister B, and Don Mitchell (21-4) and Geoff Wallace (21-9) ensured Woodside B clinched a 17-13 home win over Crowghyll B.

Asa Briggs C were 18-12 winners away to Brackenhill B in the Mellor League - Ian Smith (21-4) and Matthew Baldwin (21-8) showing good form for Asa - while Barbara Barraclough (21-4) led the way for Shelf B as they edged Salts B 16-14. West Bradford B's Peter Damant was also a 21-4 winner in a 17-13 win over Queensbury C.

There was no mercy from Guiseley C as they played hosts to the Moorhouse League's bottom club, Bowling C, Joan Dacre (21-3) and David Waite (21-6) only adding to Bowling's woes.

But it's not all doom and gloom for the Bowling captain Eric Wagstaff, after being told A teamer Steve Riddell could be a strong addition to his side should he have another result like last week's 21-4 defeat. Bernard Kenny (21-5) and Stuart Chistianson (21-8) helped Shipley Club to a narrow 16-14 away win at Lister C, and Muriel Horsfall, Pat Gilderdale and Kenneth Briggs were all 21-6 winners as Horton C easily disposed of Peel D 25-5.