YORK Indoor Bowls Club stayed top of the Yorkshire Ladies League after victory in a tough encounter against Harrogate.

The aggregate score was 51-51 with six ends left but York then picked up 20 shots while dropping only seven over the following three ends and went on to win 79-70.

York picked up six points to remain at the summit, with Redcar in second one point behind.

At home, Brenda Love, Janet Walker, Betty Richardson and Melanie Brooke were 9-8 down after eight ends but five ends later trailed 17-8. However, they then embarked on a winning run as they took the next seven ends, going on to win 24-18.

Carol Banks, Maureen Walker, Sue Tomlinson and Linda Harrison looked set for victory as they came from 15-12 down to lead 19-15 with two ends to play, but they dropped a four then a two to lose 21-19.

In Harrogate, Tina Robinson, Jean Williams, Sheila Turpin and Helen Walker had the upper hand in a tight game in which only one end saw more than a two scored. Leading from start, they won 20-9.

Joan Jackson, Maggie Pallister, Pauline Armitage and Carol Instone trailed 13-2 after ten ends, but with two to play had come back to 19-16, only to lose the remainder and go down 22-16.

Meanwhile, York Vikings are struggling to string two wins together in Yorkshire Over-55s League division one. After beating Hornsea 9-5 last time out, they lost 12-2 to Doncaster.

The away leg saw Dave Dale, Malcolm Lewars, Jim Robertson and Graham Instone notch an impressive 28-8 victory – but Alan Vowles, Trevor Wilford, Roger Ford and Phil Parsons lost 21-9, albeit helping the aggregate score by winning two of the last three ends.

However, the home rinks struggled to get going.

Derek Walker, Barry Walker, Malcolm Harrison and Tex Stevens trailed 6-1 after four ends and 19-12 after 16, before losing 21-17.

Ray Calpin, Chris Bishop, Eric Hodgson and Geoff Walker got off to a poor start, falling 14-1 behind after eight ends. They got back into the match with a five, a four and a single but won only two more ends to lose 32-14.

The Vikings’ next game is against leaders Thornaby.

Tomorrow, starting at noon, York ‘A’ face Scarborough in the EIBA Mason Trophy, then at 1pm York take on Yorkshire Patrons in the annual festive challenge match.

On Saturday, York play their Yetton Trophy tie against Hartlepool starting at 10am, while on Sunday, York play South Shields at 10am and Erewash at 2.30pm in another challenge match. On Tuesday, York ‘A’ play Hornsea in the EIBA Over-60s Double Rinks competition.