SIX of the best was enjoyed by York and New Earswick indoor bowls clubs.

The two Minster city clubs won all six of their representative matches at the weekend, with pride of place going to York’s Egham Trophy team.

They beat Mansfield side South Forest in the quarter-finals and will now play Desborough Maidenhead on Sunday, January 27.

York had the edge at crucial stages throughout their game, but with the game two thirds gone they received a shock as they dropped 15 shots across the board to suddenly find themselves six shots behind.

However, they did not lose focus and gradually pulled back to win 74-68.

At home, Dave Stroughair’s rink had an 11-3 lead after nine ends but five ends later the advantage had been reduced to two shots as South Forest pulled back to 11-9. Stroughair’s team stepped up a gear and won five successive ends scoring 14 shots.

With the other rinks having completed their games and the visitors requiring a six, the home side strategically placed woods to make it impossible to lose.

The opposing skip fired and moved the jack to give York three shots before he conceded with one wood to play, giving Stroughair’s team an impressive 25-9 victory.

Dave Attwood’s side had a tough game where singles were scored on 13 of the 16 ends played as the score stood at 13-6.

York then conceded a seven, but singles were scored on the remaining ends to give a final score of 15-15.

Away, Paul Humphreys’ side put in a good display and had the advantage at the crucial stages throughout their game, which finished in a 19-16 victory.

Phil Emmerson’s rink scored five shots over the last three ends to reduce their deficit from 16 shots to 13 as they lost 28-15.

York remain top of Yorkshire Ladies League section ‘A’ with two games to play after they beat Scarborough 93-60, picking up the maximum ten points in a hard fought match.

With five pre-match changes due to illness, York had to dig deep early on to keep in the game.

Melanie Brooke’s home team were 6-1 down after seven ends, but Sue Kirkpatrick’s side were keeping the aggregate score in York’s favour as they led 10-3 at the same stage.

They kept the momentum going and finished with an excellent 27-15 victory, and Brooke’s side came back well, taking all but three of the remaining ends to win 22-11.

Away, Helen Woods’ team were level at 15-15 before scoring a two then a single. They dropped a single to go into the last end with a two-shot advantage.

With the home side laying three shots, Pat Potter sent her wood and moved the jack, helping to secure a single to give Woods’ team a 19-16 victory.

Linda Harrison’s side had a slender 19-18 lead with two ends to play, but a two then a four gave them a 25-18 success.

New Earswick had an impressive 102-67 victory against Leeds in Yorkshire League division two, winning all four rinks and picking up the maximum 18 points.

At home, Paul Dawson’s team were 13-6 down after ten ends before winning seven of the next eight to lead 20-14 on their way to a 25-17 win.

Barry Harrison’s side were level at 12-12 after ten ends but five ends later had seized control of the game and led 19-14. They went on to win 22-19.

Away, Brian Gray’s side got off to a slow start trailing 8-3 after five ends, but they turned their game round in style to lead 12-8 five ends later.

They scored 19 shots to only eight against in the second half to finish 31-16 victors.

Barry Johnson’s team had the lead for most of their game cementing their advantage over the last six ends, where they scored seven shots and only dropped two as they won 24-15. York ‘A’ came through their Yorkshire Over-55s League division one top of the table clash against North Cave White with flying colours.

A 79-65 aggregate advantage gave York a 16-2 victory – their third on the trot – and moved them ten points clear at the top.

The away teams eased the pressure on the home sides after producing two good displays.

Graham Brooke’s team led 6-2 after four ends before dropping a six.

They did not let that upset them and they took the lead again on the 15th end with a two to make the score 14-12.

The game remained tight and with two ends to play the score was 15-15, but two singles secured a 17-15 victory.

Malcolm Thompson’s side went into the last end 13-11 down before securing a deserved point when they scored a two to draw 13-13.

The two-shot aggregate advantage soon disappeared at home and the game looked to be going against York as Cave led 18-9 on Geoff Walker’s rink after 12 ends but Graham Instone’s side had a 14-10 advantage.

Then the games changed as Instone won six of the following seven ends to lead 27-14 going into their last end, where they dropped a single, and Walker’s side came back in style, winning five of the last six to secure a 22-22 draw with a single on the last.

New Earswick’s excellent Hebden Trophy season continued as they beat Doncaster 100-46, winning all four rinks.

Away, Bob Howland’s side scored 16 shots to two between ends ten and 15 to go from 11-6 to 27-8. They won 33-10. Gary Jones’ team had a good run-in, going from 10-9 ahead after ten ends to win 22-14.

At home, Brian Birch’s team led 16-8 after 15 ends and finished 25-8, while Gordon Storey’s rink led 8-1 after five ends and won 20-14.

York secured only their second win of the season as they beat Scarborough 90-76, winning three rinks. At home, Eric Hodgson’s team trailed 15-14 after 15 ends, then won five of the remaining six ends to finish 28-16.

Jim Robertson’s side were 6-0 down after three ends before two fours then a three gave them an 11-6 lead. They did not look back as they went on to win 28-20.

Away, Geoff Walker’s side were level at 5-5 on the sixth and went ahead with a single on the next, keeping the lead to triumph 24-14.

Tony Bryan’s team were 13-10 down with five ends to play but won 26-10.


Under-25s’ duel

York IBC are hosting the EIBA Under-25s Double Rinks quarter-final game between The Parks (North Shields) and Spalding on Sunday at noon. The tie will feature three players selected in the England U25s team.


Quarter masters

YORK play their Yetton Trophy quarter-final tie against South Shields today.

Also today, New Earswick look to remain top of Yorkshire.

Over-55s League division two as they play Selby. Both games start at 12.30pm.

On Saturday, York play their Yorkshire Double Rinks qualifying game against Selby, starting at noon.