29 Dec YORKSHIRE I-D VETERANS MERIT

2026 sees the inaugural Inter-District Veterans Merit.

All nine district teams in the league will play a knockout tournament of their inter-district squad bowlers playing down to two. The designated date for each district is the day of their bye in their league matches, in Huddersfield’s case it’s the first league date of Friday 1 May. The format of this tournament may vary between districts, as will entry fees and prize money at district level. However, the two finalists will go through to the Yorkshire final held on Friday 11 September in Castleford. The nominated bowlers must play a minimum of 3 league matches during the season.

The district will pay a small entry fee to the final, an unspecified sum will be taken from the reserves held by the league and the Chairman of the league, Allen Thompson, has secured sponsorship from a well known bookies to augment the final prize money which will be substantial, and certainly worth winning, as well as being crowned the Yorkshire Veterans champion.

The districts will take it in turn to host the final day. The rota for hosting is:

2026 Castleford
2027 Huddersfield
2028 Wakefield
2029 Skipton
2030 West Riding
2031 Aire & Wharfe
2032 Leeds
2033 Halifax
2034 Bradford

In future years other districts within the Yorkshire region may be invited to join the competition and add their names to the rota for hosting.