CLARENCE Ladies defied the odds to pull off a memorable victory on home turf to win York's 2003 Double Triples tournament.

Hosted by Clarence Gardens Bowling Association, victory saw Clarence Ladies repeat their 2001 triumph in the end of season competition, which is run on a handicap basis based on entrants' placings in their various leagues.

The champions only qualified for the semi-finals after finishing second in their group on shots difference.

However, they played outstanding bowls in the last four clash with Bootham 'B' men's team, hardly needing the three shots start received per triple against a side that had topped their group with maximum aggregate and rink points.

Pauline Cooper's triple recorded a 19-16 victory over Paul Dawson's trio, while Maureen Walker led her three to a 42-8 victory over Jim Hackett's triple.

The most exciting match of the competition took place in the other semi-final, in which Haxby Road overcame Bootham 'A', who were well clear with just a few ends remaining.

However, Eddie Hawcroft's triple snatched eight shots in the last two ends against Peter Henderson to deprive their rivals of a final berth by two shots having conceded four shots per triple.

In the final, where they received seven shots start per triple from recently crowned York Men's Bowl League champions Haxby, Clarence Ladies produced a performance even better than their semi-final showing.

So well did Clarence play that the handicap ratings proved almost irrelevant.

Lin Tattersall, Linda Parker and Pauline Cooper beat Roy Robinson, Roy Pinder and Brian Bingham 19-15 and Pat Walker, Jill Ogden and Maureen Walker defeated Steve Long, John Stroughair and Hawcroft 27-12.

Clarence's Gina Newton was unavailable for the final and Val Thornton also took part in the group matches.

Updated: 11:00 Wednesday, September 10, 2003