STRONGLY-fancied Melanie and Graham Brooke were knocked out of the mixed pairs competition in the York Open Bowls Tournament at the quarter-final stage.

The York duo lost 16-13 to Marilyn Andrews and Geoff Eagles, who will meet Pat and Gordon Storey in the semi-finals.

Doreen Rodgers and Dave McCowan held a two-shot advantage playing the last end against the Storeys, who produced three shots to win the tie.

York pair Shirley Stacey and Tex Stevens were never in any difficulty against South Shields pair Maureen Cook and Jack Kelso winning 16-5.

The quarter-final between Ray and Gill Clark and Pauline Veitch and Tim Winter went to the last end. The Clarks set off at a tremendous pace, racing into an 11-2 lead. At 15-10, they appeared to be in complete control, but a late rally by Veitch and Winter winning the last few ends took them past the winning post 17-15.

Completion of the third round saw some dramatic fightbacks,.

Veitch and Winter were 13-5 down after ten ends against York duo Peter Wilson Turner, they then managed to claw their way back to 17-17 after 18, ends at the extra end Veitch and Winter took the one shot for victory.

On the next rink, David Johnson and Gill Godden (Ben Rhydding) held a 12-3 advantage after ten ends against Lynne Tattersall-Eddie Howcroft (York), who then won seven out of the last eight ends to win 16-13.

Gill and Ray Clark (York) had a convincing 27-14 win over Cynthia and Alan Boothroyd (Stamford Bridge) while Kath and Dave Sykes (Copmanthorpe) beat N and M Herbert 20-17.

In the fourth round, Rodgers and McCowan beat Maureen and Barry Walker, while the in-form Andrews and Eagles, bowling with an air of confidence, eased to a comfortable 24-15 win against Pauline and John Cooper.

Highlight of the round was the complete turnaround by the Storeys against Bill Dillan and Judy Abel, who had led 11-0 after six ends. However, a change of length completely altered the game, with the Storeys storming back to win nine of the last 12 ends, to triumph 20-14.

Cook and Kelso (South Shields) scraped home 18-17 against Carol and Frank Williams. They were joined in the quarter-finals by the Clarks who defeated Kath and Dave Sykes 20-14.

In the remaining fourth round game, Tattersall and Howcroft found themselves in exactly the same situation as last year. Bowling on the same green and the same rink and the identical score 18-18 at the last end. Once again the shot went against the York pair.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, July 30, 2003