WORTH Valley's veterans' team have regained the Federation Over-60s title after a great effort at Haw Hill Park in Littleborough in a round-robin event featuring the top sides from earlier regional rounds.

They had what seemed on paper a difficult task but made short work of the opposition, beating eventual runners-up Preston 8-2, locals Rochdale 6-4 and a weakened Halifax team 8-2.

It was a fine effort all round on a good green, strengthened by three wins from Ken Brenkley and the two Micks – Bastow and Duke.

Two former members of the team contested the Valley Handicap in glorious sunshine at Keighley BC.

Both Colin Wortley and Len Buxton are home players but survived the handicapper to provide a good final, with Wortley just sneaking home 21-20 in an exciting finish.

The winner, who used his experience of over 40 years, had just beaten Buxton's wife Janet by a similar scoreline in round one to start what proved a good day.

Losing in the semi-finals were Muriel 'Ma' Baker and Barry Humphreys, while also in the money were Chris and June Wilson, Nigel Hall and Steve Longley. League president Trevor Hargreaves was on hand to present the prizes.

The Veterans' Knockout Cups are now taking place in the Valley after final league placings were announced.

Cross Hills A regained the Division One title at the expense of Oxenhope, who were well beaten into second place. Relegated were Silsden Playing Fields B and Sutton A.

Bradshaw A somehow snatched the Division Two title from Devonshire by one point at the last minute. It was also close at the bottom as Settle B and Silsden Playing Fields C went down, the latter only on aggregate difference from Denholme.

Highfield A were the easy winners of Division Three ahead of Craven as Bradshaw C and Keighley C sank into Division Four.

After years of sliding down the table from the top flight, Lund Park started on the comeback trail after winning Division Four in front of Gargrave B, while brave Cullingworth D kept their 100 per cent record at the bottom, losing every match.

The knockout finals are on Monday, September 29.

In Hebden Veterans' League Division Two, Keighley gained promotion at the first attempt to reach the elite section.

Cross Roads A finished fourth in a highly competitive Division One, while Oxenhope just failed to join them in the top flight, ending up third in Division Two.

Cross Roads B retained their position without playing well, while Denholme just escaped the drop into Division Three.

The Valley/Skipton Juniors returned to action after a long break, only to lose at Lund Park by one point to Halifax A.

This was despite wins by Andrew Peel, Thomas Lowe and Bradley Picken. The last game of an eventful season is at Broad Oak, Huddersfield on Saturday.

Saddest news of the week concerned the sudden death of Bill Ettenfield of Whinfield, who was a popular character in the Skipton League with his wife Brenda. Our condolences go to her and the family at this time.