York Indoor Bowls Club’s title hopes suffered a blow in the North East Ladies League when they lost the aggregate 79-74 to bottom-placed Scarborough.

However, they took a share of the total points at stake after having two winning rinks and one drawn and they were also boosted by main rivals Selby losing 6-4 at North Cave and leaders Doncaster losing to New Earswick.

York remain in second place one point behind Doncaster over whom they have a game in hand, while Selby are ten points adrift with two games in hand.

York were never ahead against Scarborough at any of the crucial stages, though they made a late surge to yield some points.

Away, Sheila Turpin’s rink were 16-9 down after 13 ends but scored a four on the last to triumph 21-19. Irene Paylor’s side picked up 11 shots from winning four of the last five ends to draw 20-20.

At home, Barbara Dawson’s team picked up a single then a two on the last couple of ends to win 19-17.

However, Pat Bracken’s side wobbles. After being 10-9 ahead with nine ends to play, they could only win four more and eventually lost 23-14.

New Earswick, who had only one win in the league this season, turned the tables on front-runners Doncaster with a fantastic 82-67 victory thanks to three winning rinks.

At home, Margaret Morgan’s team won the last four ends to go from 17-14 to win 28-14, helped by a six on the 20th.

Annette Prosser’s side also revelled in a good finish going from 15-13 ahead after 15 ends to be 25-13 up before eventually posting a 25-15 success.

Away, Pat Walker’s team countered from 13-10 down with five ends to play to win 18-14.

But Monika Morgan’s team found the going difficult. They trailed 7-4 and then 21-6 before the coup de grace was applied and they lost 24-11.