JAMIE CUNNINGHAM scrambled to victory in the Skipton Sunday Handicap after a tremendous fight back by Les Foster.

The Silsden Playing Fields bowler enjoyed a commanding 16-5 lead over Foster (Devon) who was looking to retain the title. Foster launched an astonishing fight-back with Cunningham clinging on to win 21-19 after a thrilling finish. It was Cunningham's second victory in the event.

Losing semi-finalists were Lennie 'The Lion' Buxton and Mick Bastow.

Foster gained some compensation by qualifying for the Skipton Merit Finals at Cononley on August 1. The past winner was joined in the finals by another former title holder, Travor Hargreaves, the present holder Phillip Dowgill , Phil Anderson and league secretary Peter Howarth.

Reputations meant nothing to a rampant Valley team in the Federation game against Mons Menai with both home and away teams recording good wins. In the home leg at Whinfield there was some superb bowling from Phil Tunney, Scott Bairstow, Wayne Smithies and Tony Finn. Away at Bethesda it all came good for David Cardwallader and the excellent Paul Berry.

The team has a bye at the next stage, but appear again on September 19 when a repeat effort should see off Hebden Bridge.

There wild be Ladies County action at Silsden's Bottom Green on Sunday when the Yorks team, including Sue Finnie and Margaret Wood, take on Dudley of the West Midlands as they bid to retain their county championship title. If they win this weekend they will be through to the semi-finals with a place in the showpiece event a at the Waterloo Hotel, Blackpool, just a couple of games away.

The semi-finals of the Clarkson Cup take place on Monday with Broughton Road A set to meet Silsden B and Cononley B will meet Whins Wood A in what could be two very clsoe games. The final is on August 9. Whins Wood had the toughest quarter-final and were indebted to a last gasp 21-4 victory by Sue Finnie to see off Steeton A by a narrow margin.

The Valley's Over-60's Federation B team play their last game today (Friday) at Thrum Hall , starting at 10.30am. the popular event ahas been a success with Ken Harrison doing a good job organising both teams, although there have been no local successes.

The Ogden Handicap is on Sunday at Craven Bowling Club, Skipton, and is sponsored by the neighbouring Albion Inn. Play starts at 9.30 am.

Draw - 9.30: B Hobson v D Fielden, Pam Potts v K Burnett, D Hemsley v S Wilkins, P Bugeja v David Cadwallader. 10am: A Downing v G Lomas, T Fairclough v K Harrison, 'Action Man' v Ann Coppen, M Demaaine v R Hobson. 10.45: D Wilkinson v A Leach, Ron Cowman v J Calvert, C Burnett v A Hewitt, G Foster v Keith Coppen. 11.30: P Tunney v Bill Harrison, Les Foster v M Bastow, A Phillips v B Pots, T Bugeja v L Hubbock. 12.15: D Burgess v V Ambrose, Mary Hemsley v W Burnett.

n Harry Armsden, one of the main officials of the former Keighley Bowling League, has died at the grand old age of 90. Harry played for Highfield and was the grandfather of top bowlers from thefamous Walsh family of Cross Roads. Our sympathies are extended to his family.