Liam Griffin (Lower Hopton) won the 2012 Shipley Classic after defeating Richard Stockdale (Eccleshill) 21-12 in the final. Griffin started the evening as 3-1 second favourite to win the competition – sponsored by Yorkshire Building Society and The Trustees of Neville Harrison.

He bowled superbly throughout, defeating Mick Hall (Guiseley) 21-16 and Mark Hughes (Crossgates) 21-11 to make it through to the final.

Stockdale eased through with wins over Nigel Roper (Pudsey Littlemoor) 21-13 and Mark Hughes (Crossgates) 21-10.

In the final, Griffin, raced into an 18-2 advantage be-fore playing a poor lead, Stockdale cashing in.

A break of ten points saw him recover to 18-12 before Griffin finished off to take the £400 first prize, as well as the highest break prize (sponsored by H B Clark & Co) of £25 with an effort of 11 in the final.

Results – Quarter-finals: Liam Griffin (Lower Hopton) 21, Mick Hall (Guiseley) 16; Jack Dyson (Netherton Cons) 17, Mark Hughes (Crossgates) 21; Richard Stockdale (Eccleshill) 21, Nigel Roper (Pudsey Littlemoor) 13; James Davison (Eccleshill) 19, Dave Fisher (Morton House) 21. Semi-finals: Griffin 21, Hughes 10; Stockdale 21, Fisher 17. Final: Griffin 21, Stockdale 12.

Yorkshire drew 414-414 with North Staffordshire in the 2012 British Parks Championship.

In the home match at Spen Victoria, Yorkshire carded nine winners, with Chris Mordue (Brighouse Sports) in terrific form on his way to a 21-3 success as Yorkshire won the home aggregate by 58 chalks.

In the away match at Dilhorne Rec, Yorkshire found it tough going, only managing three winners, with David Hillam (Pudsey), carding a superb 21-8 win as Yorkshire lost the aggregate by 58 chalks.

So it all goes down to the last game against Warwickshire on Sunday, July 15.

Scores from Spen Victoria: Gary Wike (Pudsey) 21-11, Craig Hebbard (Pudsey Littlemoor) 20-21, Paul Hillam (Eccleshill) 21-14, Bob Whitfield (Brighouse Sports), 21-16, Mark Regan (Brighouse Sports) 21-12, Simon Walder (Spen Victoria) 21-19, Chris Mordue (Brighouse Sports) 21-3, Tony Riley (Brighouse Sports) 21-15, Jon Edmondson (Pudsey) 20-21, Peter Jagger (Spen Victoria) 21-16, Rob Carroll (Garforth Rec) 12-21, Thomas Hanson (Pudsey) 21-14. Yorkshire 241, North Staffordshire 183.

Scores from Dilhorne Rec: Ian Shaw (Pudsey) 20-21, Danny Fountain (Brighouse Sports) 16-21, Ian Kemp (Pudsey) 21-20, John Armitage (Brighouse Sports) 7-21, Tom Lawrence (Pudsey) 11-21, Andy Gilroy (Eccleshill) 9-21, Paul Rooks (Eccleshill) 16-21, David Hillam (Pudsey) 21-8, Jack Summers (Asa Briggs) 5-21, Danny Beeby (Spen Victoria) 12-21, Peter Clark (Cross Roads) 14-21, Neil Mylan (Eccleshill) 21-14. Yorkshire 173, North Staffordshire 231.

Bradford defeated West Riding 35-21 last Friday in their fourth game of the Yorkshire Veterans’ Inter District-League.

In the home match at Oakenshaw, Bradford carded all eight winners, with Graham Oliver (Clayton) and Bill Hutchinson (Crowghyll), the pick as they both carded 21-11 victories.

In the away match at Thornhill, Bradford could only manage three winners, with Tony Riley (Clayton) 21-7 the best of them.

Bradford now find themselves joint top with Huddersfield with 152 points after four games.

Scores from Oakenshaw: Graham Oliver (Clayton) 21-11, Alan Standing (Thornton) 21-12, Rod Bastow (Eccleshill) 21-14, Bill Hutchinson (Crowghyll) 21-11, Malcolm Iles (Asa Briggs) 21-18, Paul Hillam (Eccleshill) 21-12, Brian Jennings (Crowghyll) 21-16, Nino Esposito (Ladyhill ) 21-19. Bradford 168 (25), West Riding 113 (3).

Scores from Thornhill: Tony Riley (Clayton) 21-7, Lawrie Walsh (Peel) 17-21, Len Hanson (Wyke) 12-21, Ken Green (Wyke) 15-21, Gerald Bromley (Peel) 21-17, Mick Lambert (Wyke) 21-17, Bob Baines (Pudsey Littlemoor) 7-21, David Burns (Peel) 15-21. Bradford 129 (10), West Riding 146 (18).

Standings (after four games): Bradford 152, Huddersfield 152, Skipton 138, Halifax 113, West Riding 97, Castleford 94, Wakefield 83, Leeds 67.

The first rounds of the Howarth and Supplementary Cups take place tomorrow evening, with matches starting at 6.45.

Full draws – Howarth Cup: Clayton (40) v Harold Park (50) at Wyke, Wibsey (40) v Shipley Club (15) at Harold Club (Church Green), Greengates (50) v Asa Briggs A (5) at Birkenshaw, Drighlington (45) v Asa Briggs B (40) at Hipperholme & Lightcliffe.

Supplementary Cup: Wyke (50) v Birkenshaw (60) at Clayton, Guiseley (15) v Bradford Moor (55) at West Bradford, Brackenhill (55) v Tyersal (45) at Asa Briggs, Eccleshill A bye.

Full report on Wednesday Merit and information on the Four-A-Side KO Handicap, sponsored by Kolorco (Printers) in next week’s T&A.

* Yorkshire Ladies face their stiffest opposition this year when they play Shropshire on Sunday.

The white rose ladies lead their section, having decisively won their first three games. Shropshire, however, won their first two games easily and have had a bye.

Sunday’s games are likely to decide who progresses to the main competition.

The home match is at Golcar Central Liberal Club (2pm), while the away team travel to Broseley Social Club, Shropshire. Matches start at 2pm and support would be very welcome.

The teams are: At Golcar: Ann Hinchliffe (Lockwood Cons) v Jane Archer; Suzi Ladbroke (Lockwood Cons) v Jen Wilson; Judi Hollginwrotth (Meltham) v Marg Bland; Karen Gant (Meltham) v Evelyn Jones; Linda Gledhill (New Mill) v Christie Hughes; Julie Mallinson (Outlane) v. Julie Pearce; Diane Radcliffe (Outlane) v. Sonya Lucas; Marjorie Haigh (Heckmondwike) v Pauline Grocott; Lynn Carter (Cowcliffe Libs) v Tracey Ryan; Jean Gee (Marsh Utd) v Clair Barker; Suzanne Howarth (New Mill) v Alison Cotton; Jacqui Roper (Meltham) v Cheryl Watson.

At Broseley: Amanda Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse) v Cheryl Caswell; Dawn Bray (Ossett Flying Horse) v Marie Rhodes; Louise Whiteley (Hove Edge) v Kate Suggett; Lisa Rice (Harold Club) v Pauline Wilson; Christine Hasselby (Myrtle Park) v Helen Clee; Laura Middleton (New Mill) v Kelly Baugh; June Johnson (Ossett Flying Horse) v Chelsea Gregory; Debbie Davis (Pudsey BC) v Gill Chambers; Sharon Gadd (West Park) v Sue Creen; Andrea Buckley (New Mill) v Angela Gaut; Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Morton House) v Louise Cotton; Helen Gilroy (Eccleshill) v Holly Bishton.