YORK IBC also fell to Featherstone in the final Yorkshire League first division fixture, where an 88-71 triumph confirmed title status on the West Yorkshire club.

The away rinks proved the downfall of York.

Phil Emmerson’s team got off to a dismal start, trailing 24-2 after only ten ends. They rallied briefly to only lose 30-14.

The side led by Paul Humphreys looked to be in with a chance of victory as they pulled back a 13-2 deficit to 16-12 with three ends to play. But they lost them all and folded 23-12.

At home, David Stroughair’s team got off to a good start leading 13-0 after only six ends. They never ceded their advantage, ultimately confirming a 26-17 triumph.

David Attwood’s team were involved in a thriller which saw them pick up a four on the 20th end to make the score 19-17 in their favour – the first time they had the lead since the first end.

They held on as Tony Horobin slightly moved the jack with his last wood but not enough to score a two which made the final score 19-18 to the home side.

York finished third in the league as Scarborough lost to Selby 77-73 but picked up six points to claim the runners-up spot by one point.

New Earswick’s remarkable recent run of three successive wins, after losing their first two games of the season, has left them on the verge of promotion to the first division at the first attempt after toppling promotion hopefuls Thornaby 87-69. Three winning rinks yielded 16 out of 18 points.

At home, Barry Harrison’s side took control between the sixth and tenth ends when they went from 3-3 to lead 16-5 before crowning a 24-11 success.

Paul Dawson’s team were level at 17-17 with six ends to play, but dominated to triumph 23-20.

Away, Barry Johnson’s winning run continued after his team overturned a 7-5 deficit with seven ends gone to win 20-12.

Bill Waldie’s side made a solid comeback to help to secure the away aggregate points. Trailing 20-5 with ten ends gone, they only lost 26-20.

New Earswick only need to win two rinks and a home or away aggregate to finish runners-up and bounce straight back into the first division.