Yorkshire defeated North Midlands by 25 points in their first Senior County Championship match of the season.

In the home match at Thornhill C & BC, Yorkshire carded eight winners and won the aggregate by 34 chalks, with Pudsey’s James Hanson starring with a 21-17 success.

Home captain Graham Hickey (Lower Hopton) gave a captain’s performance, winning 21-7, ably assisted by Graham Higgins (Lower Hopton) 21-8.

In the away match at Atherstone Grove BC Yorkshire could only muster three winners but, with Graeme Wilson (Lower Hopton) 21-9 and away captain Chris Mordue (Brighouse Sports) winning 21-14, ensured only a nine-point deficit, with numerous close games going against Yorkshire.

Scores from home match – G Higgins (Lower Hopton) 21-8, D Fisher (Morton House) 21-20, J Wilcox (Crossgates) 21-13, C Gant (Netherton Con) 21-19, J Hanson (Pudsey) 21-17, J Dyson (Netherton Con) 19-21, S Pinfield (Lower Hopton) 13-21, D Fox (Spen Victoria) 21-12, A Tattersley (Mold Green Con) 21-12, J Spinks (Alverthorpe) 21-16, N Webster (Alverthorpe) 16-21, G Hickey (Lower Hopton) 21-7. Yorkshire 229, North Midlands 195.

Scores from away match – GI Wilson (Lower Hopton) 21-9, D Cooper (Littlemoor) 16-21, R Fitzpatrick (Morton House) 17-21, S Fisher (Morton House) 21-18, J Edmondson (Pudsey) 14-21, A Daykin 20-21, L Griffin (Pudsey) 18-21, J Davison (Eccleshill) 18-21, M Regan (Brighouse Sports) 18-21, N White (Thongsbridge) 21-20, C Mordue (Brighouse Sports) 21-14, R Hitchen (Lower Hopton) 15-21. Yorkshire 220, North Midlands 229.

Yorkshire ladies take on Staffordshire on Sunday, May 15, with the home match to be played at Wakefield BC and the away match at Silverdale BC. Louise Whiteley (Hove Edge), Sharon Gadd (West Park) and Helen Gilroy (Eccleshill) appear in the away team. Yorkshire will be looking to build on their comprehensive win over South Yorkshire in April.

Home team at Wakefield BC – Linda Gledhill (New Mill), Ann Hinchliffe (Lockwood Cons), Sue Haigh (Savile Park), Julie Best (Marsh Utd), June Johnson (Ossett Flying Horse), Alicia Ormsby (Heckmondwike), Marie Lockwood (New Mill), Lynda Drury (New Mill), Jean Gee (Marsh Utd), Dawn Bray (Ossett Flying Horse), Karen Hill (Hanging Heaton), Amanda Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse).

Away team at Silverdale BC – Judi Hollingworth (Meltham), Karen Gant (Meltham), Pauline Wilde (Lockwood Cons), Louise Whiteley (Hove Edge), Karen Whitefoot (Marsh Utd), Jacqui Roper (Meltham), Susan Gibson (Lockwood Cons), Sharon Gadd (West Park), Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Morton House), Helen Gilroy (Eccleshill), Suzanne Howarth (New Mill), Andrea Buckley (New Mill).

Bradford A beat Bradford B 7-3 in the Junior Inter District League, played at Pudsey Littlemoor.

Robbie Ellis starred for Bradford A with a 21-3 success, while Hannah Turner and Tom Morris both carded 21-9 victories for Bradford B. The next games are on Saturday, May 14 and anyone interested in playing or learning to play should contact John Armitage on 07915-397551.

The closing date has now passed for the Kolorco (Printers)-sponsored Four-a-side Knockout. At present there are 29 entries but entries are still being taken, as it is hoped 32 can be reached.

Entries so far from: Asa Briggs A, Asa Briggs B, Asa Briggs C, Asa Briggs D, Brackenhill A, Brackenhill B, Bradford Moor, Clayton A, Clayton B, Cranmore, Drighlington A, Drighlington B, Drighlington C, Eccleshill, Greengates, Guiseley A, Guiseley B, Harold Park A, Harold Park B, Horton, Myrtle, Salts, Shipley Club A, Shipley Club B, Shipley Club C, West Bradford, Wyke, Wibsey A & Wibsey B.

Any club wanting to enter should contact John Preston on 07746-716183.

The opening round of the 2011 John Smith’s Classic gets underway at Cleckheaton Sports Club on Saturday (6pm).

There is £5,225 prize money and the draw is: Ian Booth (Halifax) v Phil Lee (Liverpool); Craig Hill (Dearne Sports) v Ashley Daykin (Huddersfield); John Bailey (Conwy) v Gerald Merry (Tarporley); Paul Heap (Saddleworth) v Andy Whittaker (Sheffield); Matt Gillies (Farnworth) v Tommy Johnstone (Warrington); Chris Hill (Sheffield) v Daniel Beeby (Huddersfield); Christopher Barton (Liverpool) v Liam Griffin (Pudsey); Gary Ellis (Whitefield) v Paul Hillam (Bradford).

Clubs can still enter the Howarth Cup, and the Pairs KO (sponsored by Leeming & Peel Ltd). So far there are 16 entries in the Howarth Cup, and 14 entries in the Four-a-Side KO. Any club interested should contact John Preston on 07746 716183.