The Worth Valley team found the going tough in their latest Federation district match against Preston, although the reputations of some players remains intact despite the severe mauling.

In the home leg at Cross Hills the fast green caught out the locals and they could only muster five winners. Cross Hills member Graham Perry took advantage of his local knowledge and was backed up by David Hewitt, Mick Bastow, 'HGV' Johnson and Ed Gamble, who defeated the odds again.

Away as Frenchwood SC the locals were hit by a blitz early in the match with single figures, or less, being the order of the day. However, through the carnage came a comeback led by skipper Stephen Pickles, supported by Dave Fielding, Kevin Wordley, Doug Stone and Lenny Buxton.

The team has four weeks to recover before the final game against Bury.

There was a similar result for Yorkshire Parks as they were put to the sword by Central Lancashire in the British Parks semi-final. The away team did not do too badly at Walsden with wins for Richard Dunhill and Phillip Dowgill, but a comprehensive defeat at Low Moor in the home leg ended this year's hopes.

Full reports on the Skipton Johnson, Lambert and Ellis finals will appear in next week's column.

The much improved Andy Welsh, of Silsden PF, reached the final of the Dick Keighley Memorial Trophy in the Skipton League. His good run came to an end when he went down rather comprehensively to the winner, Mick Cox, of Gargrave.

Two weekend victories have propelled Cross Hills to top spot in the Aire-Wharfe League were they lead holders Myrtle Park and Skipton Devon. With just four games to go a close finish remains on the cards.

Sunday sees the Skipton Summer Doubles sponsored by Cougar Printing, starting at 12.30. Greens in use are Steeton, Sutton, Cross Hills and Silsden PF with the final at Silsden Bowling Club around 6.30pm.

The Norman Johnston Floodlit Handicap Qualifiers are next Tuesday with prelims at Keighley, Cononley, Lund Park and Addingham. The final is at Gargrave on August 30 at 6.45.

Other dates to note are qualifiers in the Yorkshire Cockcroft Handicap (September 2), the Valley Merit Finals at Sutton (September 4), Skipton Mixed Doubles (September 14), Sandersons Blinds Veterans Doubles (September 14) at Keighley BC and the Valley Veterans Doubles (September 16) at Silsden PF - enter now.