YETTON Trophy specialists York had the fright of their lives in their first round game against Scarborough, just pinching victory on the last end.

The rink of Melanie Brooke, Maureen Thomas, Lynda Parker and Trish Stevens kept York's hopes alive.

They raced to a 10-1 lead after only six ends and then in the 18th end they stepped up a gear to take the last three ends and win 27-11.

The other home rink of Trish Harrison, Betty Richardson, Joyce Chelin and Dot Kennelly struggled, trailing 18-7 with nine ends to go.

But an encouraging six gave them hope which they capitalised on. Between the 16th and 20th ends they turned a 21-13 deficit into a winning 25-22 margin.

Carol Instone's team looked to be in a good position at Scarborough leading 11-8 after eight ends before the home side won all but four of the remaining ends to win 22-17.

Linda Harrison's team lost 23-13, but that did not prevent York earning a tie against Doncaster in the next round on December 2.

New Earswick had an excellent 88-73 win against Harrogate in their Yetton Trophy clash after leading on aggregate throughout.

After 18 ends Harrogate trimmed the arrears to 69-66 before New Earswick finished in style.

At home, Lyz Jerrum, Maureen Wood, Moyra Headley and Pat Walker stormed to 19-1 up after only eight ends before clinching a 31-12 triumph.

The other rink of Brenda Keller, Shirley Hopwood, June Barker and Margaret Blows scored a four on their last end to win 15-14.

At Harrogate, Jeanette Coulson, Kath Sykes, Chris Beavers and Pat Storey let a 14-5 lead turn into a 15-14 deficit after 14 ends. But they battled back to win 25-17.

Margaret Moss' rink went down 30-17 after suffering a nightmare start at 15-0 down after four ends.

New Earswick now play Selby in the next round.

Meanwhile, York eased past Blackburn in the Denny Cup, winning 99-54 with all four rinks victorious.

Paul Mooring, Graham Brooks, Eddie Howcroft and Josh Cahill dropped a single on the first end then scored a seven, which set the tone for their 32-12 home win to clinch a duel against Blackpool Borough in the next round.

In the Denny Plate, New Earswick also had an easy win, beating Doncaster 96-64.

The pick of the rinks was at Doncaster, where Bob Edwards, Bob Howland, Dave Kermode and Mick Stannard trailed 14-0 after eight ends.

They were still behind at 18-13 with four ends to play but won three on the trot en route to a 23-20 win.

New and bold

New Earswick were involved in an exciting game in the EIBA Over-60s Double Rink beating Selby 42-41.

Bob Edwards, Ray Clark, Ralph Tiplady and Mick Stannard scored a three on the last end to win 24-20 after coming back from being 18-15 down.

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, November 11, 2004