The bowling season begins on Sunday with preliminary rounds in the Hebden Royd's Sunday Morning Knockout event - and it could prove a soggy start for all teams without a bye.

No draw details are available yet, but Round One is on the following Sunday and the league itself begins on Monday with Cross Roads A odds-on favourites to win Division One yet again.

Several other local teams make up the section including newly promoted Denholme A and Cullingworth A.

Cross Roads B should win Division Two after last year's shock relegation, but Division Three looks to be a more open affair. Cross Roads C will be hoping to lead a unique treble bid for the club.

All the usual competitions are up for grabs including the popular end of season doubles at Lund Park.

The Worth Valley season kicks off the following week, but the veterans return to action on Monday with the usual three division set-up. Newcomers Settle make the long trip to Oakworth in game one prior to a pitch inspection.

The green at Oakworth was in bad condition last year but hard work by the council has restored some of its glory - despite its double use as a football pitch!

The Halifax season begins on Wednesday with no doubt Cross Roads A trying to regain the title from holders Lanctan.

Division Two looks a fierce affair this season with two reasonable teams being relegated from Division One last year and two more competitive teams coming the other way.

Locals Oakworth, Oxenhope and Cross Roads B will be there somewhere in the middle.

Denholme are now up to the dizzy heights in Division Four.

The Arthur Bairstow Open event at Keighley, which was such a success on its inaugural running last season, is already fully subsribed for this season and play starts on April 21.