Favourites Yorkshire Ladies faced a tricky start in their opening Atherley Trophy bowls game of the season, travelling to Blackpool to face Lancashire.

But the White Rose ranks came away with a resounding 152-98 victory in which all six rinks were won.

The biggest margin of victory came from Linda Harrison’s team who completely controlled their game. They scored five fours and a five on their way to a 34-15 success.

Sue Allen’s team dropped five shots on the first two ends but by the 13th they led 11-10 before winning all but one of the remaining ends to finish 27-11 victors.

Helen Wood’s team got off to a good start, leading 9-1 after six ends. By the 11th end they trailed 12-9, but bounced back in style notching 15 shots over the next eight ends to lead 24-13 with two to play. They triumphed 24-16.

Helen Walker was drawn against her fellow England player Di Hunt and it proved to be a tough encounter.

Walker led 6-1 after four ends, but Hunt countered to lead 8-6. Advantage was traded seven more times before a two drew the sides level at 18-18 with four ends to play.

A dropped single gave the home side the edge but Walker’s team responded with three singles to take the honours 21-19.

Carol Instone’s team dropped a four on the first end but by the fifth led 6-4. They stayed ahead for the rest of the game though they dropped six shots between the 15th and 17th ends to reduce their lead to two before scoring a five to move advance to 21-14. Even though they lost the final three ends, they had ebnough in hand to triumph 21-19.

Beryl Alderson’s side were in full control before a wobble. Up 19-9 after 14 ends, they let the home side come back to 19-18 before winning the last three ends to take the game 25-18.

Yorkshire will now play Nottinghamshire away on Sunday, January 5.

 

• YORK Indoor Bowls Club ‘A’ team will today play Huddersfield home and away in the EIBA Mason Trophy, starting at noon.

The ‘A’ ranks will then bid to topple North Cave White in the Yorkshire Over-55s League first division.

York are back in North East Ladies’ League action against Hornsea on Saturday, while New Earswick IBC are to host one of the UK Masters qualifying events on Sunday, starting at 8.30am.

 

• York IBC are taking entries for their Christmas Triples competition to be held on Friday, December 27. The closing date for entries is Sunday, December 22.