RICHARD Hargreaves retained the Albert Smith Trophy when he won the Skipton and District JACS League Merit.

A very disappointing entry meant that just two qualifying greens were required to get down to semi-finals.

The two qualifiers from Devonshire were David Leeming, who just got the better of Trevor Hargreaves, while Alister Keighley was pushed all the way by Stuart MacDonald, getting through 21-19.

At Broughton Road, Richard Hargreaves had a good match with Ian Bernard before getting the better of Craig Smith, while Stuart Myers beat Len Buxton.

The green at Craven looked in good condition for the semi-finals and final.

Myers was dominant in his win over Leeming, running out from 11-5 to move into the final. Keighley put up some good ends, but could not keep in touch with Hargreaves, who always looks at home on the Craven green and he went through 21-12.

Both players looked in form for the final, which should have been a close match.

But it did not happen as, after eight ends, Hargreaves had an 11-0 lead. Myers could only pull back odd singles and it was soon 20-6.

There were three more singles for Myers before the completion of a 21-9 success and another JACS Merit title for Hargreaves, making it his fourth crown in six years.