YORK Indoor Bowls Club kept alive hopes of winning the North Eastern League for the first time.

Despite a 73-70 reverse to second-placed Hornsea, the four points prised from two winning rinks may prove crucial.

At home, there was victory for both rinks with Barbara Dawson’s coming from 12-5 down after 12 ends to win 21-13 and Pat Bracken’s winning six of the last eight to post a 24-14 success.

Away, Irene Paylor’s lost 20-15, while Joyce Gee’s team lost 11 of 12 ends midway through their game before being beaten 26-10.

New Earswick IBC had to settle for a draw in their Yorkshire Ladies League match against Hornsea, who led throughout.

At home, Maureen Wood’s team let a 15-11 lead slip until a three at the last secured an 18-15 win, while, despite a spirited fight-back, Margaret Moss’ team lost their game 23-15.

Away, Kath Sykes’ team overturned a 7-5 deficit after eight ends into a 25-11 lead before winning 25-13, but Diane Hardy’s side never recovered from a 7-1 deficit after six ends and lost 20-13.

Earswick hopes of a quick return to the Yorkshire Over-55s League first division all but disappeared as they lost 83-77 to North Cave ‘B’.

Bob Edwards’ team trailed 10-4 after eight ends but countered strongly, losing only three more ends en route to a 22-15 win.

But Barry Harrison’s side crashed from a 5-2 lead after four to lose 33-11.

Away, Barry Johnson’s team put in a good performance to be out of sight by the 13th before rattling up an emphatic 26-13 win, but down 22-8 with five ends to play proved the undoing of Tony Abbot’s team, who slumped to a 22-18 defeat.