THE finals of the Skipton ABA’s team knock-out events on Thursday, September 5 will be between Devon A and Gargrave A and Whinfield A and Steeton B.

In the main event for the Clarkson Cup, Devon A beat league leaders Colne Cricket by a comfortable margin at Settle where big wins by Les Foster and Nick Squires clinched the match after the winners were shared.

Meanwhile, at Broughton Road, Gargrave A avenged a defeat by Sutton A to progress to the final in fine style after good efforts by Robert Lee and Paul Drinkall. Sutton were always struggling and despite good wins by Jason Jennings, David Cadwallader and recent Rycroft winner, Billy Cater, were second best.

In the Supplementary Cup, SPF B just lost out to Whinfield A in a close match despite wins by Mick O’Neill and David Jefferson.

The winners now meet Steeton B, of Division Four, who caused a minor upset at Oakworth by defeating holders and top Division One side, Cononley A. The losers had to concede over 100 start and despite six single figure wins, conceded victory sportingly before the end as great wins by Wendy Ward, Eric Robinson and Jonathan Phillips clinched victory for the outsiders. Two close matches are envisaged on finals night.

Following the recent fine weather, rain caused havoc in many of the week-ends fixtures causing more problems for the organisers.

The Vets inter-District match against Bradford was called off due to a funeral, while Skipton failed to get a team for the Yorkshire ABA Inter-District held in Castleford and had to withdraw, a sad state of affairs for local bowlers.

Skipton host this event next year but that has now been put in doubt which is a shocking state of affairs.

Hopefully, the Worth Valley Mixed Pairs go ahead this Sunday at Lund Park and entries are still been taken up to 11am on the day.

It is also a big weekend for two local clubs. Cross Roads meet Pudsey BC Ltd A in the Yorkshire Cup Final at Huddersfield RUFC and face an enormous challenge, while Broughton Road meet Brighouse B in the Eric Hutchinson Trophy for mixed teams at Thorner BC in another tough tie. Good luck to both teams.

More sad news for older players with the death of Alex Auld, formerly of Cross Roads. He was a popular player there in the ‘golden age’ of Gordon Daley and Alan Bancroft and been a postman, represented that organisation in friendly matches and inter-works matches. Condolences to his family.

Finally in disrupted games in the Federation District games, there were wins for locals Robbie Ellis and Peter Hepworth for Airedale A in the defeat by Barnsley and for Jason Jennings, Kevin Burnett, Darrell Gore and Derek Seed for Airedale B in another defeat as they went for a ‘burton’ against Burton.

Robbie Ellis has qualified for the finals of the Brighouse Classic.