YORK Indoor Bowls Club lost their grip on the Yetton Trophy after being downed 73-71 in a semi-final against Desborough.

York impressed initially to lead 45-30, but were overhauled at 56-49 before they levelled at 59-59.

They then managed to edge in front at 65-64 before going behind again and, with Helen Walker’s team still to complete their game, the aggregate score was 73-69.

Carol Banks, Lynda Parker, Zoe Eagles and Walker had held a commanding 16-4 lead, but that was pulled back to 16-16. They went into their last end leading 20-19, needing a four to tie the semi-final, but could only pick up a two.

Hayley Macdonald, Betty Richardson, Melanie Brooke and Sue Allen were tied at 8-8 before winning 18-14.

Dot Kennelly, Maureen Walker, Sheila Turpin and Linda Harrison had the upper hand for most of their game and led 16-8 with eight ends to play, but lost 21-17.

Joan Jackson, June Clayton, Helen Wood and Carol Instone were 17-8 down with four ends to play but lost only 19-14.

Desborough lost 82-71 to Egham in the final.

The Planet Bowls York Open Tournament proved a huge success, with 64 top bowlers from around the country competing.

Egham’s Steve Tuohy retained the title, beating Sunderland’s David Bolt in a close-fought final.

Tuohy beat Scarborough’s up and coming star Jack Bird in the semi- finals, while Bolt ousted Hornsea’s Dave Tooley.

Tooley knocked out York’s England Under-25s star Adam Liddell.

Alan Vowles won the Thanet Road-based club’s vets singles title for the third time in four years, beating Ray Calpin 21-12.

Dave Dale, last season’s vets singles winner, took the vets singles plate title after beating David Pearson 21-12, mainly thanks to an amazing start which saw him lead 18-1.

Alan Vowles and Helen Wood got off to a flyer in the mixed knockout pairs, losing only three of the opening nine ends to lead 14-3, but Dave Stroughair and Joan Jackson came back well to 15-10.

Stroughair and Jackson needed a five off the last end, but Wood defended well to only drop two shots and take the title 18-15.

York’s league play-off finals started with the vets fours, with John Berridge’s team dominating the opening half to lead 10-3 before Bob Blackburn’s team hit back to take the title 20-11.

In the ladies pairs, Dot Kennelly’s team saw their 11-8 lead turn into a 15-11 deficit with two ends to play against Carol Instone’s side.

A two on the last sealed the title for Instone’s team.

Ken Hutson’s side were 23-14 winners over Ray Calpin’s team in the vet pairs, ending Calpin’s run of eight successive title wins.

The vets triples final was in the balance with Charlie Arnett’s team leading 13-11, but they won three successive ends to beat Graham Instone’s side 20-11.

In the men’s pairs, Dudley Williams’ side got off to a great start when they picked up a five on their first end against Calpin’s team.

However, Calpin and company responded to win 21-13.

In the men’s fours, Dave Preece’s scored a four on the last end to beat John Stroughair’s team 17-14.

York will hold their presentation evening tonight, preceded by the end of season Executive versus The Rest friendly game, which starts at 6pm.