NEW Earswick Indoor Bowls Club started the new year in the same poor form as they finished the old - with two defeats in the Yorkshire League and one in the Yorkshire Over-55s League.

In the Yorkshire League, New Earswick lost 94-53 to a strong Featherstone team, ending with no points.

At home, Graham Lockwood, Colin Ellis, John Harrison and Bill Waldie won 11 of the 21 ends but lost 21-12.

Bob Elliot, Gordon Fratson, Barry Johnson and Tony Abbot led 9-4 after nine ends but only picked up one single in the next seven and lost 24-13.

At Featherstone, Dave Clayden, Dave Sykes, Andrew Fothergill and Kevin Liddell were in it at 10-8 down after 12 ends but Featherstone then scored a seven and two fours and went on to win 28-11.

Dave Imeson, Dave Elcock, Mick Head and Paul Dawson came from 8-1 down to level at 8-8 after ten ends.

But Featherstone opened a 17-9 lead after 15 and, while Earswick scored eight shots at the next five to go into the last end one down, they dropped a three to lose 21-17.

New Earswick 'B' lost 74-68 to division two leaders Selby but at least claimed four points.

Brian Hutton, Eric Cookson, Graham Bell and Ralph Tiplady led a low-scoring game until Selby levelled at 9-9 after 15 ends. The scores were also level at 11-11 and 12-12 before Selby won the last two ends for a 15-12 victory.

Paul Murray, Bob Barrett, Barry Harrison and Dick Osguthorpe trailed 14-9 after 16 ends but took the last five ends and, with the help of a four at the 20th, won 18-14.

At Selby, Joe Barker, Dave Hutchinson, Terry Bellwood and Brian Birch dropped three fives in the first 11 ends and trailed 22-10 after 15. They won six of the last seven but lost 25-16.

Pat Inwood, Alwyn Anderson, Ken Harrison and Gary Jones won seven of the first 11 ends and, with a six at the seventh, led 17-5. Selby won six of the next eight, including a four and a six, but Earswick held out for a 24-20 victory.

In the Over-55s League, the Falcons lost 88-63 to Hornsea.

At home, Graham Lockwood, Dave Elcock, Dick Osguthorpe and Barry Johnson led 8-1 but lost 26-14, while Bob Elliot, Dave Kermode, Eric Cookson and Colin Ellis led 10-3 but lost 18-14.

At Hornsea, Paul Murray, Pat Inwood, Ralph Tiplady and Tony Abbot led 8-5 after six ends but lost the next seven, giving a six away at the eighth, and succumbed 28-18.

Dave Imeson, Gordon Fatson, Mick Head and Bill Waldie, from being 17-9 down after 17 ends, scored a three and a four to cut the gap to one with two to play. They lost 18-17.