Melissa Beecroft, of Shepley BC, won the Peter Firth Memorial Handicap at Kirkheaton CBC only two years after taking up the sport.

The top event for Under 16 boys and girls in Huddersfield bowling is sponsored by Glenis Firth and 18 players took part in the 20th running of what is a popular tournament.

For the first time in the event’s history, there were two all-girl semi-finals.

Yorkshire Junior County player Chloe Ghaffar looked favourite to win the competition, winning 15-5 and 15-8 in her first two matches.

Young Sophie McCaffrey, from Brockholes BC, was also playing well in her half and that set up a last-four clash against Chelsea Crawley, from Almondbury Lib.

Chloe met Beecroft in the other semi-final

Sophie played very well and beat Chelsea, by a comfortable 15-7 scoreline to take her to the final.

Meanwhile, the more experienced competition player Chloe could not get away from Melissa.

Time and time again, Chloe played some great woods, but Melissa kept finding a good one to keep the jack, but at 11-9 up, Chloe looked to be on top.

Melissa, however, produced some excellent bowling to go in front with a five break to make it 14-11.

Chloe fought back and at 13-14 down and with two woods within a foot of the block, Melissa produced one of the bowls of the day to play straight up to the jack to win the game, 15-14.

After such a good performance she continued her form, and beat Sophie 15-8 in the final.

Sponsor Mrs Firth gave out the best boy and girl prizes which went to Sophie Brown and James Hick.

A delighted Melissa received the Peter Firth Trophy from Glenis and after only two years of junior bowling couldn’t believe she would ever win anything so prestigious.

Junior secretary Geoff Martin thanked the referees, sponsor Mrs Firth, and Kirkheaton Cricket and Bowling Club for hosting the event for the last 20 years.

Preliminaries – Alex Haigh (Newsome WMC) (6) 15 Harriet Chadwick (Kirkheaton Con) (3) 5, Aimee Jennings (Almondbury BC) (3) 4 Nathan Oakes (Newsome WMC) (1) 15.

First round – Lucy Stephens (Newsome WMC) (4) 11 Chelsea Crawley (Almondbury Lib) (2) 15, Thomas Berry (Almondbury BC) (1) 4 Jack Downes (Shepley BC) (3) 15, Sophie McCaffrey (Brockholes BC) (5) 15 Katie Hemingway (Kirkheaton Con) (1) 11, Sophie Brown (Kirkheaton Con) (5) 15 James Hick (Almondbury BC) (7) 9, Callum Wadsworth (Shepley BC) (3) 10 Jessica Mark (Shepley BC) (4) 15, Melissa Beecroft (Shepley BC) (2) 15 Lucy Hemingway (Kirkheaton Con) (4) 12, Chloe Ghaffar (Newsome WMC) (scr) 15 Daniel Berry (Almondbury BC) (5) 8.

Quarter-finals – Chelsea Crawley (Almondbury Lib) (2) 15 Jack Downes (Shepley BC) (3) 7, Sophie McCaffrey (Brockholes BC) (5) 15 Sophie Brown (Kirkheaton Con) (5) 9, Jessica Mark (Shepley BC) (4) 6 Melissa Beecroft (Shepley BC) (2) 15, Chloe Ghaffar (Newsome WMC) (scr) 15 Nathan Oakes (Newsome WMC) (1) 13.

Semi-finals – Chelsea Crawley (Almondbury Lib) (2) 7 Sophie McCaffrey (Brockholes BC) (5) 15, Melissa Beecroft (Shepley BC) (2) 15 Chloe Ghaffar (Newsome WMC) (SCR) 14.

Final – Melissa Beecroft (Shepley BC) (2) 15 Sophie McCaffrey (Brockholes BC) (5) 8.