SETTLE bowlers were in top form when the Skipton and District League Handicap made a welcome return to the competition calendar at Broughton Road.

The green was in good order which led to some good close matches throughout the afternoon.

When the event arrived at the semi-final stage it was Settle bowlers to the fore.

Derek Seed lined up against team-mate Mike Duke while David Leeming tackled Sutton’s Peter Hepworth.

Duke was in top form as he went into a commanding 18-6 lead against Seed before winning 21-12.

The other semi-final saw Leeming and Hepworth both have runs with the jack.

Leeming edged into a 14-13 lead before Hepworth hit back to go 19-14 up.

Hepworth seemed set for the final when he led 20-17, but Leeming was not finished and put in three scoring ends to take the match 21-20.

Leeming, who had won the event twice previously, soon found himself under pressure in the final.

Duke raced into a 7-1 lead but Leeming levelled at 7-7.

Leeming stopped the run to pull back to 18-14, but that was as close as it got.

Duke got the three required to take the final 21-14. He received the trophy from former league president Warren Burnett.

The inter-district veterans start the 2018 season with a match against West Riding tomorrow.

The home leg will be at Broughton Road where the team will be: L Buxton, M Claxton, M Duke, D Jacques, J Parkin, C Taylor, D Seed, I Wade.

The away match will be at Overthorpe BC.