THE Bradford League winter season begins next Monday, and while many of the local league players have had a break during the hot summer, it has been a different story for several globe-trotting veterans.

The 19th World Veteran Championships took place in sweltering Las Vegas in June and pride of place went to Sandra Rider from Pudsey, who returned home with a bronze medal.

Sandra and Shirley Gelder from Durham had a great run in the Ladies 60s doubles. After coming through the group stages they came from behind to win in the last 32 before a comfortable 3-0 victory in the next round.

The semi-finals beckoned and although Chinese opponents Mu Jimping and Zhou Jihou led 2-1, Sandra and Shirley dug deep and took the last 2 games 15-13 and 11-9 to ensure a last four berth and a guaranteed medal.

They had to settle for a bronze, however, as they were beaten by Rita Jain and Saraf Mangal from India in straight games.

The Halifax Summer Tournament came next in August and Ivan Lewis from Dewsbury Tog was the star performer. He came through a strong field to reach the final and his opponent was Shariar Masoudi from Embassy Police.

Masoudi had great wins over his team mate Tim Dyson and the holder Steve Scowcroft from Lancashire, but it was Lewis who took the title with a 3-1 victory.

Lewis was also victorious in the doubles. Partnered by Chris Clinton from Hull, the pair came from two games down to pip Dyson and Sean Bibby 11-8 in the fifth game.

The first Veterans Tournament of the winter season took place in Newcastle on the first weekend of September and Lewis was flushed with yet more success.

He won the Mens 50s doubles title with Keith Williams from Lancashire while Helen Shields won the Ladies 60s doubles event, partnered by Jan Johns from Cheshire.

Shields also reached the 60s singles final but was beaten by Shirley Gelder. Finally, Dyson reached the final of the 50s Mens singles but was beaten by Scowcroft.