Underdogs York Indoor Bowls Club pulled off a shock in the Egham Trophy as they beat Hartlepool 85-73.

There was no more than four shots difference between the two teams at the crucial stages and York took the honours thanks to scoring nine shots to only one against on the last ends from all four rinks.

Dave Attwood’s team sealed a good afternoon when they scored a six then a five on their last two ends to beat England international Glen Skipp’s side 31-15.

Dave Stroughair’s team also had an excellent match in which they lost only five ends and ran out comfortable 26-8 winners.

Away, Phil Emmerson’s side looked as though they were going to be on the wrong end of a big score when they trailed 17-5 after nine ends, but they turned it round to lose 23-17.

Paul Humphreys’ team pulled back to 14-10 after being 12-5 down, but lost seven of the last eight ends in a 27-11 defeat.

York now play Cumbria on Sunday, December 16, starting at 10.30am.

New Earswick also went into their Egham Trophy game with Boston as underdogs and nearly pulled off a massive shock as they led by 11 shots with three ends to play, but lost 79-71. The game, played at the neutral venue of Doncaster IBC, saw winning rinks for Dave Imeson’s and Brian Gray’s teams.

Imeson’s side won all but four of the first 16 ends to lead 22-6, but Boston took the remaining five ends to only lose 22-15.

Gray’s side only lost three of the first 14 ends as they led 20-6.

Despite losing six of the following seven ends, they held on to earn a creditable 21-16 victory.

Barry Harrison’s team looked to have done enough to win when they led 19-13 after 16 ends, but lost 24-19, while Barry Johnson’s team struggled to get into their game after being 12-1 down after seven ends and lost 24-8. Meanwhile, the form book worked out in the Denny Cup as York were well beaten by Cumbria 102-58.

It looked as though an upset could be on the cards as York came back from 23-13 down after five ends to 38-36 down after ten, before the Cumbrians pulled away.

There was only one winning rink, led by Stroughair. He trailed England international Steve Farish’s side 7-2 after seven ends before drawing level with a five. They did not relinquish the lead as they triumphed 20-13.

Mark Clarke’s team had a tough afternoon. Leading 10-9 after ten ends, the game went pear-shaped as the visitors won all but two of the remaining ends to finish 36-13 victors.

Away, Humphreys’ side did well, leading 11-6 after nine ends. They lost out on the last end, dropping a four to go down 20-16. Emmerson’s rink struggled and lost 33-9.