York B - promoted from the second division last season - came so close to pulling off a shock result as they took on the reigning Yorkshire Over-55s Indoor Bowls League division one champions York A.

They won one rink and only went down by one shot in two others, with the decisive game coming from Malcolm Thompson's team, who took their match by the scruff of the neck early on for the A side.

They led 15-1 after five ends, but the B team settled down to cut deficit to nine shots at the halfway stage before another surge saw Thomson take the game 36-19.

The B team's victory came from Dennis Haw's side, who led for all but two ends in their 19-16 success over Peter Littlewood's four.

Frank Turner's four led from start to finish but had to withstand a great fight-back from Alwyn Johnson's team, who at one time trailed 10-2, but closed only one shot down at 18-17.

Eric Hodgson's rink also had a tough game but just edged it, fending off a late challenge from Brian Thomas's players, who could not quite turn a 24-13 deficit into a victory as they went down 26-25.

York A won the game by an aggregate 96-80 picking up 16 points.

The women of York started the defence of their county league crown with a superb 91-71 win against their jinx side Selby, picking up eight points.

At Selby Helen Walker saw her team pull away from 12-11 ahead to post a 26-16 victory against Cynthia Wright's side.

Linda Harrison and her ladies were involved in a much tighter game but edged it against Doreen Carpenter's ladies over the last seven ends to go from 13-12 down to win 19-16.

At Thanet Road, Sheila Turpin's side were on top form against Sonya Turner's team and they capitalised on a good start which saw them leading 11-2, thanks to a six on the fifth end.

They stayed in front to record an impressive 22-12 win.

Maureen Thomas's team were the only losing side for York as they were beaten 27-24 by Sue Williamson's team who won the last three ends scoring five shots.

In division two, New Earswick were also in impressive form as they demolished a Barnsley side 122-50 winning all four rinks.

Away, Pat Walker's team trailed 18-15 with three ends to go but scored a five, single, then a seven to take the game 22-18.

Peg Walker's team were never threatened as they won with ease 21-10.

At home, Margaret Moss's ladies were tied at 6-6 after eight ends but only lost two more ends as they strolled home 38-10.

Kath Sykes' four dropped six shots on the second end to trail 6-1 but regained the lead two ends later which set the tone for the rest of the game as they won 35-12.

York Red comfortably won the ladies National over-60s double rinks competition 54-33 on aggregate when they beat Hornsea.

Sheila Turpin's rink controlled the game throughout winning 12 of the first 16 ends, scoring six on the 14th to lead 22-8, and they won 28-16.

Maureen Thomas's team were tied at 17-17 before winning the last three ends to take the game 26-17.

York Red now play Huddersfield or Doncaster in the next round.