Bowls: Early-season silverware snatched by Sykes, White and Bushby (From York Press)

Bowls: Early-season silverware snatched by Sykes, White and Bushby

11:02am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport

DAVE SYKES, Maureen White and Neil Bushby lifted the Dennis Bunce Memorial Trophy after a thrilling start to the competitive season at New Earswick Indoor Bowls Club.

A field of 12 teams entered the curtain-raising tournament, the format of which is designed to help inexperienced bowlers develop their skills by teaming them up with a league bowler and a representative bowler.

After two rounds, three teams were unbeaten and equal on +7 shots, with Mel Lancaster, Maurice Binnington and Brian Wade edging it by one on shots scored.

The trio of teams remained unbeaten in round three, but Brian Hutton, Don Simpson and Peter Shepherd, with +13, held a four-shot advantage. By the fourth round, Sykes, White and Bushby edged ahead by two shots, but Lancaster’s team slipped.

In the last round, Lancaster’s team were the only one of the top three teams to win, but had to settle for third place, with Hutton’s side runners-up as Sykes, White and Bushby held on by one shot.

Geoff Bunce presented the trophy and prizes.

New Earswick held a successful taster session as part of the York 50+ Festival, with many of the new faces joining Friday 6.30pm coaching sessions.

Any new bowlers can try the game free by phoning Andy Webster on 01904 750230.