COLIN WORTLEY has led the way as local bowlers have pulled off a string of successes.

Colin, a member of Keighley Bowling Club won the Colwyn Bay Classic, taking the George Davis Trophy. He beat J Bradbourne of Sale in Cheshire 21-12.

His wife, Winnie lost in the ladies semi-final and J D Smith lost in the semi-final of the Capstan event.

Cross Hills bowlers Ken Brenkley and Phillip Dowgill were also on form recently, winning the Yorkshire Pairs title at Keighley Bowling Club, beating Alan Thornber and Mick Walsh of Cross Roads 21-11 who slumped dramatically in a one-sided final.

Losing semi-finalists were Chris and D Slater, Ramon Hrebor and Richard Thompson of Myrtle Park. The event was sponsored by McDowell Transport Ltd.

At the other end of the scale spare a thought for local star Richard Hargreaves who reached the final of the Hebden Bridge Bowling Club's Centenary event only to lose 20-21 to fellow county star Wendell Adams of Hebden Royd Park.

Chris Slater reached the final of the Bingley Show event only to lose 18-21 to Paul Kaye of Clayton.

Jean Smith of Keighley BC also did well reaching the final of a women's competition before losing 4-21 to Ellen Gilroy.

Trevor Hargreaves (Keighley) and John Romsey (Whins Wood) reached the Bingley semi-finals while Les Foster and Craig Walsh reached the Doubles final at Warrington before going down 15-21.

The local inter-district team were well beaten in their final game of the season, losing both at home and away to finalists Halifax. Jockey Wilson and Les Foster excelled at Silsden PF, while Barry Turnbull and David Cadwallader were the only bowlers to taste success in the away fixture. Despite all the ability in the local area it has been another disappointing season for the district squad, the final result was 4-12.

The Yorkshire Parks Wood Cup continues with Round Two on Friday August 21, and the Valley Supplementary Cup Final is at Highfield on Saturday between Lund A and Denholme A. Sponsors are C Moore and Co with the match starting at 6.30pm.

The main event of the weekend is the John Rycroft Trophy final at Broughton Road, Skipton where about £2,000 is on offer in prize money. Locals chasing the honours include Colin Jeffrey, Peter Clarke and the deadly Chris Slater who starts as favourite. Starting time is 2.30pm and an action-packed afternoon is anticipated.

The Central Yorkshire team, who are top in their section, meet North Wales in the semi-finals of Division One on Sunday with few, if any, changes. A victory is in the offing with a final in the weeks ahead.

The county system may change next year, but at present the Central team, regarded as a B squad, appear to have been promoted whilst the A team have been relegated, an unsatisfactory arrangement for all concerned.

Keighley Bowling Club's Colin Jeffrey has almost reached the veteran stage and teamed up with Addingham's George Kettlewell to reach the Yorkshire Veterans Pairs semi-final only to lose surprisingly to Mr and Mrs Harry Wise of Yeadon, the eventual runners-up.

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