THERE was a shock from the opening week’s play in the Huddersfield Ladies Bowling League when the defending champions Meltham were beaten 9-1 by keen rivals Marsh United.

Meltham, the league’s top dogs for the past three seasons, had only one winner away at Marsh and lost the aggregate by 40 points.

Golcar Lib A and Almondbury Lib A, both promoted back to the top flight, met head-on and first-game honours went to the Colne Valley side, who triumphed 8-2.

Section A: Marsh U A (166) 9 Meltham A (126) 1, Cowcliffe B (122) 3 Cowcliffe A (156) 7, Lockwood Con A (157) 8 Almondbury BC A (124) 2, Golcar Lib A (137) 8 Almondbury Lib A (114) 2.

Section B: Outlane A (131) 4 Outlane B (137) 6, Kirkheaton Con A (125) 2 Linthwaite Hall A (149) 8, Longwood B (148) 6 Milnsbridge BC A (136) 4, Thongsbridge A (126) 5 Broad Oak A (124) 5.

Section C: Brockholes A (143) 3 Kirkheaton CBC A (153) 7, Meltham B (160) 8 Marsh Lib A (117) 2, Jackson Bridge (158) 8 Shepley B (119) 2, Syngenta C (126) 3 Linthwaite CBC B (144) 7.

Section D: Grange Moor (148) 7 Newsome (140) 3, Farnley Tyas (137) 3 Marsh U B (146) 7, Linthwaite CBC A (143) 8 Denby Dale (115) 2.

Section E: Paddock CBC (139) 6 Lockwood Con B (115) 4, New Mill (150) 8 Bradley and Colne (114) 2, Golcar CBC (135) 7 Hudds RUFC (125) 3, Crosland Moor (111) 2 Skelmanthorpe (141) 8.

Section F: Milnsbridge Lib B (128) 5 Paddock IC (123) 5, Lowerhouses (151) 7, Syngenta B (120) 3, Netherton Con B (107) 2 Brockholes B (156) 8 Almondbury Lib B (141) 6 Golcar Lib B (134) 4.

Section G: Primrose Hill (124) 6 Kirkheaton Con B (119) 4, Broad Oak B (148) 6 Thongsbridge B (129) 4, Brockholes C (116) 4 Longwood A (147) 6.

Section H: Marsh Lib B (129) 4 Netherton Con A (136) 6, Waterloo B (120) 6 Waterloo A (119) 4, Kirkheaton CBC B (136) 6 Milnsbridge Lib A (117) 4.

(Captains should note that results secretary Susan Bruce has a new phone number: 01484-845834).

Entries are being taken for Hillcrest BCs annual Open Pairs competition, sponsored by Carlsberg Tetley.

There is a total prize fund of £920 and the winners receive £300 from the final on Saturday, September 20.

Qualifying dates are August 2, 9, 16, 22, 23 and 30 and September 6 and 13.

To enter (£10 per pair) write to: Mr D Hartley, 13 Spring Gardens, Friendly, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2TW, or call 07780-630102.

Results from the Milnsbridge and Almondbury Liberal Club-sponsored Huddersfield Liberal League:

Section A: Almondbury A 3 Cowcliffe A 7, Meltham A 10 Kirkheaton A 0, Lindley A 6 Lindley B 4, Marsden A 4 Golcar A 6, Crosland Moor A and Linthwaite (byes).

Section B: Cowcliffe B 2 Almondbury B 8, Kirkheaton B 3 Meltham B 7, Milnsbridge B 2 Milnsbridge A 8, Golcar B 7 Marsden B 3, Marsh 3 Primrose Hill 7, Crosland Moor B (bye).