After a struggle, Oxenhope BC won the Yorkshire ABA’s Derek Radley Trophy for mixed teams.

They defeated Garforth Rec B by nine points at Almondbury BC, Hudd-ersfield in wet and windy weather which made things difficult for both sides.

Oxenhope were never at their best, and it was not until the later stages that they exerted any pressure on their opponents as Ronnie Bowdin and man of the match Trevor Douglas turned the screw to clinch the game after the winners had been shared.

Captain David Hemsley received the trophy off Derek Radley and York-shire president Keith Hatzer as Oxenhope became the first Keigh-ley area side to win this popular competition.

There was an excellent turnout in the Valley Handicap at Craven BC, Skipton, where the worthy winners, after several close games, was Steve Griffiths of Denholme.

He defeated Keighley BC’s ‘postie’ Stewart Mc-Donald 21-19. Losing in the semi-finals were Carol Harrison of Lund Park and Steve Longley of Gargrave.

It was a good effort by the winner whose previous record at this venue was not so hot.

The British Parks Team Championship was completed in the Aire-Wharfe area, where past winners Cross Roads were attempting to shine again.

In the first round at Shipley BC, they comfortably defeated West-lands of Stoke, with Richard Hargreaves and Peter Clark the best of eight winners.

The team then travelled to Baildon and snatched a three-point victory over Crookes-moor, where the winners were shared.

Cross Roads came un-stuck in the semi-final at Tarnfield, however, when they were well beaten by eventual winners Lloyds of Manchester.

They could only manage three winners in Richard Dunhill, Trevor Hargreaves and Les Fos-ter, who won all his games.

Silsden Ladies’ hopes of retaining the Yorkshire League title have come to an end after consecutive defeats to new champions-elect, Linthwaite Cricket and Bowling Club.

Andrew Tate has qualified for the Cockcroft Yorkshire Handicap finals at Broad Oak on Septem-ber 29 after defeating Dave Smith of Craven at Broughton Road.

The Keighley BC Invi-tation Veterans’ Doubles were completed at a wet and cold Royd Ings, where the deserved winners were Derek Seed and Arthur Bruce of Set-tle, who defeated Barry Uttley and Maurice Haley of Steeton 21-10.

Losing in the semi-finals were Ian Sturrock and Mick Duke, Donald Varley and Alan Down-ing.

The final of the Nor-man Johnson Floodlit Handicap is to be held at Colne Legion tonight (6.30) when Richard Har-greaves attempts to win the event for the seventh time running – a remarkable effort whatever happens.

Trying to stop him will be the ‘magnificent seven’ of Barry Turn-bull, Derek Metcalfe, John Parkin, Chris Wil-son, Derek Seed, Stuart Myers and Robbie Ellis.

The Federation Team Champion-ship, won by the Aire-Wharfe last season, is at Todmorden Park on Sunday (9.30am).

Division Six winners Worth Valley have chosen a strong squad. They meet Middleton Cannock and North Yorkshire in a round-robin event featuring six teams.