Melanie Brooke, Brenda Lovel and Trish Stevens kept the flag flying for York and District Indoor Bowling Club as they reached the National Finals at Nottingham in the Ladies Triples.

Playing in the Zone Final against a Cumbrian side they found themselves 15-10 down with only three ends to play.

But they stormed back for a magnificent 17-15 win.

Linda Harrison, Betty Richardson and Dot Kennelly were so very close to winning their Zone Final in the Ladies Over 50s Triples against another Cumbrian team.

Trailing 15-9 with three ends to play the York ladies scored a four and a single to be only one shot behind going into the last end. But their rivals pinched victory with their last wood.

York and District IBC Ladies continued their impressive form in the Vivienne Trophy with an overwhelming 98-65 win against tournament favourites Cumbria.

At home Anita Haw, Clarice Johnston, Doreen Arnett and Ida West lost a single on the first end then won six of the next seven ends to lead 12-3. The visitors hit back with two singles then a run of five, but the hosts responded en route to a stirring 30-10 win.

In the other home rink Joyce Gee, Doreen Fennell, Margaret Smith and Pat Lofthouse were losing 6-5 after six ends before a run of eight winning ends out of nine capped a fine performance to win 26-13.

At Carlisle, Betty Richardson, Cath Blease, Sylvia Walker and Marjorie Elvidge came back from 10-6 down after eight ends to lead 20-10 after 15. The home team picked up their game again but it wasn't enough as Richardson's rink closed out a 23-19 win.

In the other rink Pat Bracken, Marilyn Andrews, Pat Teasdale and Maureen Robinson had a fight on their hands as they fell 7-0 behind after only four ends, but they made an excellent comeback.

The game remained close until the last end at 19-19 but the York side unfortunately a dropped four to give the home side a 23-19 win.

York will now play Lincoln in the quarter-finals.

Updated: 12:19 Thursday, February 07, 2002