LAST year's beaten finalists, Railway Institute, went one better this season by winning the York C&IU Evening League Cup final, defeating Tramways.

Colin Haigh's Tramways rink were 6-1 down after four ends but won the next six to lead by four shots.

RI's rink, under skip Peter Riley, won four of the last five, though, to win by four shots.

Barry Douglas' Tramways rink were 12-5 down at the ninth end but recovered to draw level at the 15th and take the lead with a three at the 17th.

However, Mike O'Donnell's RI rink scored three at the last end to win by one shot.

In the other rink, RI, under skip Mal Bulmer, were only one shot up at the 11th end but then took complete control winning all but one of the last seven to win by 12 shots.

The cup was presented to RI captain Ron Keeler by Alan Potter, chairman of the York CIU Branch Games Council.

In the Evening League, Clarence took advantage of leaders Holgate' bye week by beating South Bank 8-0 and going top of the table by two points.

Railway Institute, after beating Acomb 6-2, are in the hunt in third place.

In the Afternoon League, Railway Institute and Holgate 'B' joined Holgate 'A' at the top of the table on six points after winning their respective matches this week.

Meanwhile, the York Amateur Bowls Association's Williamson Cup quarter-finals threw up a shock as division two leaders Hull Road Park overcame division one outfit Haxby Road 73.5-71.

Shipton hosted Selby and put up a good fight but finally lost out 51.75-65, while division one leaders Holgate WMC had a comfortable 79-44 victory at Dunnington, the hosts conceding with 17 ends to play across the game.

RI Corinthians were also comfortable 119-67 winners over Stamford Bridge

In the Freedom & Fellowship Cup, division one side Dringhouses had an 86-59.75 win over division two opposition in Minster. Likewise Rowntree overcame struggling West Park 76-50

Copmanthorpe won 95-66 at Retreat, Poppleton beat a toiling Osbaldwick 85-60.25.

In the league, Holgate WMC continued to dominate the top tier with an 8-0 whitewash of bottom side Shipton, thereby opening up a 22-point lead at the top of the table.

Second-placed Selby beat third-placed RI Amateurs 7-1 despite only a 10-shot difference in the aggregate score, at 91-81.

RI Corinthians continued their good run by overturning Dringhouses 7-1. Haxby Road rose to fourth with a whitewash over local rivals Bootham 8-0.

Division two front-runners Hull Road Park enjoyed a 7-1 victory over now bottom of the table Retreat - West Park moving off the foot with a 7-1 win over Minster.

Poppleton Road WMC recorded their eighth win of the campaign, 7-1 over Stamford Bridge.

Copmanthorpe kept up the pressure on the top two by overcoming Harrogate 6-2, while Osbaldwick won 6-2 at Scarcroft.