YORK Indoor Bowls Club are on course for a title decider with Featherstone in division one of the Yorkshire League.
The Thanet Road club needed to beat Thornaby to maintain their challenge and they edged it 78-77, despite trailing 77-67 at one stage.
York picked up 12 points from the game and are second in the league, seven points adrift with two games to play.
Featherstone and York collide on March 5 at 10am.
The championship bid looked to be over when the aggregate score stood at 77-67.
Both home rinks were getting beaten, with Paul Mooring’s side losing 23-12 and Phil Emmerson’s trailing 24-12.
The only shining light was away from home, with Mark Clarke winning 24-11 after taking the last six ends, scoring nine shots.
Paul Humphreys’ team were level at 19-19 with two ends to play after dropping five shots over the previous two ends.
Things turned York’s way when Mooring’s team picked up a three to lose 23-15 and news came through that Humphreys had picked up a three.
Then Emmerson got a four on his last end to lose 24-16, leaving the scores tied at 77-77 with only Humphreys’ team to finish.
Third wood John Walker laid the winner and maintained Humphreys’ successful away record with a 23-19 victory.
In division two, New Earswick’s promotion hopes were raised when they beat second-placed Doncaster 86-76, picking up 14 points and closing the gap to two points with two games to play.
At home, Barry Harrison’s team led 13-1 after eight ends en route to a 24-13 victory.
Bob Edwards’ team led 23-16 with two ends to play but were stunned by a seven, then a three, to lose 26-23.
Away, Barry Johnson’s team came from 17-13 down to win 21-18, though Ralph Tiplady’s team went from 17-12 down to 18-18, only to drop a single and lose the game.
New Earswick’s next game is against Ryedale, while Doncaster face league leaders North Cave.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here