TREVOR HARGREAVES and Colin Jeffrey kept their stanglehold on the Skipton Spring Doubles event when they once again won the one-day event.

The beat Devon's Ben Ridding, who scored both his side's points, and Roy Sanderson 15-2 in their easiest victory yet. Indeed if the event had continued it would have been 101-2 so poor were their bewildered opponents.

Losing semi-finalists were Keighley bowlers Richard Hargreaves, Peter Deighton, Colin Wortley and J D Smith.

Devon's Chris Slater also continued his good run. After taking the Spring Handicap at Silsden he returned the following day to win the Invitation Doubles with a little help from Stephen Pickles of Sutton. The comfortably beat Ken Brenkley (Cross Hills and event sponsor Eileen Reape of the Red Lion, Silsden 21-13.

Semi-finalists were organiser Donald Varley and Trevor Hargreaves, Fred Pickles and Jamie Cunningham.

The final of the Hebden Bridge Sunday Morning knockout reaches its climax this Sunday as Cross Roads, who defeated Haworth quite easily at Saville, meet Cullingworth who just pipped Whins Wood. Mick Swarbrick was Haworth's only winner against the Roadies who will be odds-on to win yet again.

Skipton should have started their Inter-District campaign this Friday against Castleford, but the South Yorkshire side have withdrawn leaving the locals needing to overcome past winners Halifax and West Riding if they are to qualify.

The Valley faces a busy weekend programme starting tonight with the preliminary rounds of the Keighley Merit sponsored by Andrew Hillas. Matches are at Whins Wood and Highfield from 6.30pm. The final takes place on June 9.

Draw- Whins Wood: R Laird, J Cormicon, Ed Hall, L Buxton, A Downing, R Bell, T Sexton, K Ridding, A Matthews, K Baker, Ted Hall, H Barnes, D Hewitt, G Foster, R Hargreaves.

Highfield: P Haigh (senior), S Pickles, G Lomax, J Robertson, B Potts, Jed Barnes, J Hamer, D Cadwallader, L Hutchinson, D Helmsley, B Jones, L Foster, W Helmsley, T Hargreaves, T Bugeja.

Young Thomas Sexton of Highfield begins the defence of the Foster Cup at Highfield on Sunday, starting at 9.30. He has recently returned to form, winning the Elland Junior Merit over John Robertson (Whins Wood). Both have been selected for Yorkshire Juniors who take on Mid-Cheshire at Highfield on May 21.

Foster Cup draw - 9.30: M Cunliffe v D Hewitt; K Barnes v S Wilkins, P Haigh jnr v K Ridding; C Jackson v L Buxton.

10.30: L Hutchinson v R Potts, G Parker v R Smith, D Dowgill v A Uttley, Ed Wall v J Jackson.

11.30: J Cormica v R Lightowler, D Hemsley v T Sexton, J Wilkinson v P Haigh snr, P Potts v K Brenkley.

12.30: Ted hall v B Farrar, A Matthews v K Kennedy, A Downing v A Parker, P Lightowler v Ted Baine.

The event is sponsored by David Gallager funeral services.

The Skipton League has now got underway with Keighley A installed as favourites to win Division One again from Silsden A, Colne A and Devon A. Newly-promoted Keighley B, L:und A and Whins A will be fighting to hold on to their places in the league.

Newcomers Oakworth face a tough baptism in Division Two with Addingham A, Rolls Royce A and Cross Hills A hoping to go close in the promotion battle. It should be very open in divisions three and four with Steeton A expected to lead the way.

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