YORKSHIRE County Ladies returned to winning form when beating Staffordshire by 63 points.
The home team, playing at Linthwaite Hall, won by 44 points, although at the beginning the first Staffordshire bowlers appeared to find the tricky green and pace quite easily, making the Yorkshire bowlers work to earn their points.
There were some strong games by Suzanne Howarth (New Mill), who pulled back from 9-0 down to win 21-17 and Diane Radcliffe (Lockwood Con), who recovered from 10-2 and 14-6 down to win 21-19.
In the away team, Amanda Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse) beat last year’s Championship average winner Carol Matthews 21-20.
Debbie Davies (Pudsey BC), Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Morton House) and Andrea Buckley (New Mill, pictured left) won to nine, eight and seven respectively to help gain an away win of 19 points.
At Linthwaite Hall: Katy Atkinson ( Marsh Utd) 19 Sue Wright 21; Linda Gledhill (New Mill) 21 Laura Hamer 15; Karen Gant (Meltham) 13 Lianne Evans 21; Ann Hinchliffe (Marsh Utd) 21 Kerry Evans 12; Karen Whitefoot (Marsh Utd) 14 Heather Rowe (Universal) 21; Linda Drury (New Mill) 21 Janet Salmon 15; Alicia Ormsby (Meltham) 21 Beth Ball 10; Lynn Carter (Cowcliffe Lib) 21 Janet Salmon 15; Diane Radcliffe (Lockwood Con) 21 Julie Burgess 19; Suzanne Howarth (New Mill) 21 Janet Hope 17; Julie Mallinson (Outlane) 21 Patsy Allen 13; Suzi Ladbrooke (Lockwood Con) 21 Paulette Wheeldon 11.
At Meir Sports & Social Club: Dawn Bray (Ossett Flying Horse) 17 Leanne Burgess 21; Lisa Rice (Harold Club) 19 Joanne Podmore 21; Amanda Hagen (Ossett Flying Horse) 21 Carol Matthews 20; Karen Hill (Hanging Heaton) 21 Sylvia Holmes 19; Cathy Rushton (Gargrave) 21 Sharon Whittaker 18; Debbie Davies (Pudsey BC) 21 Carol Thompson 9; Louise Whiteley (Hove Edge) 4 Eilleen Hollinshead 21; Laura Middleton (New Mill) 21 Gill Welsh 13; Alexis Lunn-Gadd (Morton House) 21 Loan Lewis 8; Sharon Gadd (West Park) 15 Hazel MacDonald 21; Andrea Buckley (New Mill) 21 Janet Hargreaves 7; Jacqui Roper (Meltham) 16 Stacey Brown 21.
