CORINTHIANS Cougars retained the York Super Seven bowls crown with a sudden death extra end play-off win over Poppies.

The late drama was a repeat of the 2010 final between the same sides, when Cougars also edged out their foes to take the title for the fourth time.

The sides were locked at 4-4 after normal time in the final at Clarence Gardens, but the holders clinched a 4-3 victory in the play-off.

Cougars won both of the pairs contests in games of contrasting patterns.

Keith Mercer and Tony Thornton were 7-7 and then 10-10 with Jim Dalby and Trevor Scott before finishing strongly to win 16-11.

Dave Preece and Arthur Dunbar were 17-6 up on Poppies pair Bill Carter and Bob Mayes with only five ends to play, but went into the last end only 17-14 ahead before clinging on for an 18-14 triumph.

The Poppies’ lifeline was provided by their triple of Eric Leatt, Brian Clark and Keith Nelson.

They were 4-4 at the first changeover stage before surging away to beat Tony Butterfield, Brian White and Denis Sanderson 20-4.

That result – coupled with the recovery of Carter and Mayes – secured the two aggregate points for Poppies and ensured the final went into extra time.

On the extra ends, Leatt, Clark and Nelson carried on with a count of three, but Mercer and Thornton cancelled that out with the same score.

That left the single shot scored by Preece and Dunbar to decide a thrilling final.

• NEW Earswick Indoor Bowls Club in Huntington Road are staging a free bowls taster on Sunday as part of York’s 50+ Festival programme.

The session, from 10am to noon, is open to all ages and woods and shoes will be provided.