YORK bowler Betty Richardson has tested the skills of the organisers of the 38th York Open Bowls Tournament to the full.

The Bert Keech Club player has been so successful that she forced a reshuffle in the running programme.

She played in the final of the Ladies Pairs with partner Carol Williams at Clarence Gardens last night instead of today as she was scheduled to play in both the singles and mixed doubles semi-finals - and possibly the finals today.

The move paid dividends for her and Williams as they came from 10-1 down to defeat South Shields pairing Vera Watson and Mary Charlton 23-13.

It was the second time the York duo had recovered from a poor start to triumph as they were 10-0 down in their semi-final against Pat and Maureen Walker before coming out on top, 19-17.

In the quarter-finals, Williams and Richardson had eased beyond Barbara Maident and Grace Burchall 28-9 .

Former county player Richardson was resuming her quest for a title treble on finals day today.

She was playing Riccall's Jane Simpson in the singles semi-final with the winner due to face either Judy Abel (York) or Sue Shrimpton (Riccall).

She is also teaming up with Ian Hodge in the mixed competition to take on Gill and Ray Clark, who have already knocked out holders Ann Illingworth and Gary Bunce.

The men's singles final will be contested by Holgate's Paul Humphreys and Tim Winters from Hull.

Humphreys, who lives in the Malton area, edged out Tony Moore 21-19 in the quarter-finals before defeating Brian Gray 21-15 in his semi.

Winters had to settle a little matter of family pride on his way to the final.

He beat his son, Sam, 21-14 in the fourth round before eliminating Phil Reeves 21-16 and last night just edged out Eric Wilkinson 21-19 in a tight semi-final.

Earlier in the day Wilkinson had won his delayed quarter-final against Geoff Eagles at West Park which had been flooded by Thursday night's downpour.

Eagles' 14-year-old daughter, Zoe, made it through the junior final by beating Sam Atkinson 21-8. The other semi was a terrific struggle between York's Adam Tattersall and Dominic Kelley (Naffterton).

Tattersall was 17-10 down at one stage and fought back to lead 19-18, only to drop three shots on the last end.

Updated: 08:55 Saturday, July 30, 2005