SKIPTON’S qualifier for the Yorkshire Merit finals was young Robbie Ellis of Craven, who won three games at Broughton Road in good style to reach the last 32 at Spen Victoria.

Sadly his hopes came to an end as he was well beaten by county star Mark Hughes of Crossgates 21-8 in the first round. No doubt Robbie will get another chance with youth on his side. The winner for a record-breaking fifth time was Graeme Wilson of Elland WMC.

On a brighter note, the Skipton Vets Inter-District team recorded an excellent 43-13 win in their recent match against Leeds, with once again the much-maligned home team having all winners at Sutton Park, led by four single-figure wins by Alistair Keighley, Derek Seed, Mick Duke and Len Buxton.

In the away leg at Scatchard Park, Morley, the away team made heavy weather of it on a tough green and it was only two good wins by Trevor Hargreaves and David Hemsley that secured a narrow victory. Skipton are now in third place but face their biggest challenge on June 5 when they face second-placed Huddersfield.

The Inter-City event run by Yorkshire Parks saw a strong Leeds team triumph in the the Hebden Royd League-hosted competition, hammering Bradford at Old Town.

The local team from Hebden Royd played quite well in their group matches, going down to Leeds, beating Aire-Wharfe and finishing level with Sheffield. In the first preliminary at Todmorden Park against Leeds, they mustered four winners in Phil Anderson, Mick Skwarek, David Hemsley and Richard Hargreaves.

At the same venue, they gained a narrow victory over Aire-Wharfe with five winners as Anderson, Hargreaves and Skwarek enjoyed success again, plus Sean Frewin and Les Foster. They had to gain a big win at Heptonstall against Sheffield but that was beyond them, despite winning the aggregate points but having only four winners in Foster, Trevor Hargreaves and Jocky Wilson, plus Richard Hargreaves, who remained undefeated.

The main event this weekend is the Worth Valley Federation's second game in the District League, where they meet Fylde home and away on Sunday at 2pm. The home leg is at Skipton Devon, while the away team travel to Carleton BC in Blackpool. A good win is a must after their first result.