YORK IBC suffered agony in the final of national bowls' Yetton Trophy - being edged out 77-75 in a thrilling showdown with Swale.

The Minster city side got through to the final after a stunning comeback victory over Riverain on a day of drama at Bristol IBC.

Despite their last-gasp loss to their Kent foes in the final, York remain the most consistent team in the recent history of the Yetton Trophy having won the title two years ago, finished as semi-finalists last year then beaten finalists this time. This is on top of winning the trophy in 1988, 2000 and 2002.

Against Riverain, York overturned a ten-shot deficit to level the scores at 44-44 after 44 ends.

They soon scored 15 shots without reply to lead 71-56 and kept the advantage to win 95-74.

Carol Banks, Lynda Parker, Zoe Eagles and Helen Walker's team finished first as they picked up a single on their last end to draw 20-20.

Dot Kennelly, Sheila Turpin, Melanie Brooke and Linda Harrison won comfortably, pulling away from 12-9 to 24-9 before finishing 26-12.

Maureen Walker, Betty Richardson, Hayley Macdonald and Sue Allen had also got off to a good start as they led 11-1 before being pegged back to 17-14. They finished well, to win 33-16.

Joan Jackson, June Clayton, Helen Wood and Carol Instone were playing well enough yet found themselves 15-0 down. They came back to 17-15 before going down 26-16.

The rinks remained unchanged against Swale, who were faster out of the blocks and led 22-5 after 16 ends.

York are experienced at this level and came back well to level at 39-39 after 45 with Harrison's team leading 11-7, Allen's 10-9, Walker's drawing 11-11 and Instone's rink trailing 12-7. Thereafter the game remained tight but crucially with 12 ends to play Swale opened a five-shot lead which was extended to six with three to go, with Walker's rink having lost 24-17.

Harrison's and Allen's picked up singles to finish - giving Instone's side the difficult task of neeing a four to draw the match. They only managed a two.

Meanwhile, York's domestic season came to a close with their last four club league play-off finals.

The Ladies Triples match was evenly poised as Harrison's team led 14-11 but they picked up an eight with two ends to play and won 22-15.

Malcolm Thompson's team led the Gents Triples final 9-1 after six ends and, although Geoff Walker's team pulled it back to 13-11 with two to play, Thompson's men picked up a single then a two to finish 16-11.

Another exciting finish occurred in the Gents Fours where Mike Parker's team, having won only three ends in the first dozen, levelled at 14-14 with a six at the 13th. Two ends later, a two put them 16-15 up.

However, John Stroughair's team picked up five shots over the last three ends to win 20-17.

The Eric Hopwood Triples final saw Barry Walker, Noel Cammidge and Malcolm Harrison crucially win seven of the first nine ends to lead 9-2.

John and Pauline Cooper and Paul Milliner came back to within two shots after winning three successive ends but Walker's team opened an unassailable lead with a two then a four and took the title 15-10.

This Saturday, starting at 10am, York IBC host some of the country's top international bowlers in the EIBA Top Club semi-finals. Ex-world champion Greg Harlow will be playing for his club City of Ely against Torquay United, while Swale take on Spalding, with the winners playing in the final at 3pm.

* THE York Club and Institute Union Bowls League gets under way on Sunday with the annual challenge match against a York Amateur Bowls Association representative side.

The match is at York Railway Institute green, Ashton Lane, starting at 2 pm.

The C&IU team is (skips first): Presidents's Rink 1 - T Wheatley, K Robinson, M Dewhirst, P Smith; Rink 2 - J Cooper, P Milliner, H Marshall, K Dwyer; Rink 3 - Barry Douglas, Bob Douglas, C Haigh, T Douglas; Rink 4 - P Watson, M Crow, B Bates, M Rankeiller; Rink 5 - M Bulmer, T Thornton, P Riley, C Harris; Rink 6 - K Potter, A May, J Holtby, R Keeler.

All players to meet at 1.30pm.