Reigning champions Brighouse Sports A suffered a surprise 20-10 NAYLOR section defeat at Cross Roads in the Bradford Saturday League.

Cross Roads, who only survived in the top flight following Spen Victoria’s withdrawal from the league, carded seven winners.

Clayton A dropped just five chalks in their 21-9 home win over Littlemoor A.

Gary Wike and Thomas Hanson both produced 21-6 victories as Pudsey A thumped Guiseley A 25-5.

Eccleshill A defeated Eccleshill B 17-13, despite a great 21-8 success for Ian Matthews, while Crossgates were emphatic 26-4 winners over Shipley Club A as Ira Jeffers (21-5), Jon Wilcox (21-7) and Peter Wilcox (21-8) led the way.

Ladyhill A opened with a steady 18-12 win over Greengates A in the GODWIN section, thanks in the main to Richard Bloodworth (21-7) and Andy Woolner (21-8).

Andy Denton’s 21-8 success for Asa Briggs A at Rufford A proved in vain as his side went down 24-6, Martin Benson (21-5) and Steve Ainley (21-9) doing the damage for the hosts.

Robert Benn rolled back the years with a 21-9 success for Wyke A as they won 18-12 at Heckmondwike, who had Gerald Bromley (21-9) in top form.

Akroydon Victoria A found it tough at Littlemoor B and went down 19-11, despite the best efforts of Steve Livesey (21-8).

Lower Hopton A held off late resistance from Eccleshill A to win the WEST RIDING CUP by 16 points.

Graeme Wilson and Craig Newton both carded 21-11 victories to give Hopton the perfect start, before the evergreen Roy Nicholson rolled back the years with a vintage 21-14 to extend their lead in the middle four.

Eccleshill then hit back through captain James Davison, who beat opposite number Graham Hickey 21-8, and Ian Dewhirst, who saw off Gareth Nicholson 21-13, but fell just short despite six winners.

Scores – Eccleshill A 209, Lower Hopton A 225 (Eccleshill names first): Paul Arthurs 11, Graeme Wilson 21; Steve Bowes 20, Chris Kelly 21; Nick Bastow 21, Graham Higgins 20; Justin Holgate 11, Craig Newton 21; Paul Rooks 14, Roy Nicholson 21; Chris Firth 21, Ryan Clark 19; Jeff Godall 16,Ian Booth 21; John Benson 21, Robert Hitchen 20; James Davison 21, Graham Hickey 8; Ian Dewhirst 21, Gareth Nicholson 13; Andrew Gilroy 11, David Scott 21; Neil Mylan 21, Stephen Pinfield 19.

Favourites Brighouse Sports A retained the PILLING CUP with a 28-point win over Greengates – but only after overcoming an early deficit.

Tony Southern produced a great 21-5 success for Greengates against Brighouse substitute Tony Naylor. And with Steve Alred beating Tony Riley 21-11, Greengates opened up a 19-point advantage after four jacks.

Brighouse responded strongly in the middle four, carding all four winners as Mark McGorlick (21-5), Ronnie Wormald (21-6) and Bob Whitfield (21-7) turned the tables.

But Greengates kept fighting to the end as Richard Firth (21-9) produced a great captain’s performance ably assisted by Steve Bastow, who eased to a 21-16 over Mark Regan.

Scores – Brighouse Sports A 209, Greengates 181 (Brighouse names first): Steve Foster 21, Rod Bastow 16; Hedley Kettlewell 21, Colin Rhodes 19; Tony Naylor 5, Tony Southern 21; Tony Riley 11, Steve Alred 21; Ronnie Wormald 21, Stuart Wilson 6; Mark McGorlick 21, Aidan Bentley-Smith 5; Bob Whitfield 21, Bob Jeffrey 7; Andrew Wood 21, Chris Lodge 17; Chris Mordue 21, Peter Wilson 17; Danny Fountain 21, Paul Ridealgh 10; Mark Regan 16, Steve Bastow 21; Richard Hobson 9, Richard Firth 21.

Yorkshire’s ladies suffered a surprise 18-point aggregate INTER-COUNTY defeat against a Wales side that started as underdogs.

Yorkshire carded five winners in the away leg at Connahs Quay while losing by 23 points, with West Park duo Sheila Holdsworth (21-9) and Sharon Gadd (21-19) starring.

The home team could only muster a five-point win at Lockwood Cons, sharing six winners.

Home match (at Lockwood Cons BC) – Yorkshire 215, Wales 210 (Yorkshire names first): Linda Gledhill (Marsh Utd) 14, Amanda Nicholas (Gresford Colliery) 21; Pauline Wilde (Lockwood Cons) 21, Jackie Ollerton (Rhos Park) 18; Jean Gee (Marsh Utd) 21, Lesley Williams (Sychdyn) 20; Marie Lockwood (Meltham) 21, Kirsty Jones (Trefnant) 13; Ann Hinchliffe (Lockwood Cons) 19, Sue Vayro (Eirias Park) 21; Marjorie Haigh (Heckmondwike) 21, Julie Bray (Rhos Park) 16; Julie Best (Marsh Utd) 12, Janet Jones (Rhos Park) 21; Andrea Buckley (Meltham) 21, Mary Darling (Abergele) 7; Diane Radcliffe (Outlane) 20, Tracy Jones (Pentre Broughton) 21; Carole Harpin (Marsh Utd) 10, Pauline Jackson (Trefnant) 21; Suzanne Howarth (Meltham) 21, Melanie Short (Llanfairfechan) 10; Jacqui Roper (Meltham) 14, Abi Wynn-Jones (Denbigh) 21.

Away match (at Connah’s Quay BC) – Wales 224, Yorkshire 201 (Yorkshire names first): Dawn Bray (Ossett Flying Horse) 14, Viv Roberts (Sychdyn) 21; Christine Sutcliffe (Methley) 21, Betty Phillips (Rhos Park) 17; Bridget Lunn (Ossett Flying Horse) 21, Sue Tidman (Hawkesbury) 18; Lyn Dye (Castleford) 14, Jane Jones (Connah’s Quay) 21; Sheila Holdsworth (West Park) 21, Olwen Edwards (Llanfairpwll) 9; Louise Whiteley (Hove Edge) 18, Jane Lamb (Hawkesbury) 21; Sharon Gadd (West Park) 21, Lynda Curzon (Sychdyn) 19; June Johnson (Ossett Flying Horse) 18, Rachel Hawker (Sychdyn) 21; Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Morton House) 21, Sue Dace (Denbigh) 14; Amanda Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse) 18, Gay Cooper (Connah’s Quay) 21; Barbara Wherrett (Ossett Flying Horse) 4, Linda Williams (Flint) 21; Lisa Rice (Savile Park) 10, Jane Bowler (Deganwy) 21.

Clubs are reminded that Saturday is the deadline to enter the HOWARTH CUP, PAIRS KO and FOUR-A-SIDE KO competitions. Entries should be sent to general secretary Tommy McCarthy.