RAILWAY INSTITUTE took an early lead in the York C&IU Bowls League Knockout Cup final but it was Burton Lane who hoisted the trophy.

Ron Keeler's rink were five shots up after five ends as the Railwaymen held a three shot lead overall. Five ends later and they were still in command with Keeler up by six, Tony Thornton tied at 9-9 and Burton Lane' sole leader, Ken Robinson, 10-6 ahead.

The final changed dramatically when Thornton's rink dropped seven shots and, by the 15th end, Burton Lane were ten ahead - Paul Williams leading Thornton 21-10 and Robinson up by nine.

Keeler kept Railway's hopes alive as he increased his advantage over Burton's Dale Phillips to ten shots but there were no heroics during the last three ends and Burton Lane finished the match as worthy 55-45 winners.

The cup was presented to Burton's non-playing captain Kev Butler by Peter Mitchell, assistant secretary of the CIU York City Branch.

Butler said: "I am very proud of the Burton team as, earlier this year, I underwent an operation to my arm and have not been able to bowl this year."

In the singles, last year's runner-up, Alan Phillips, is through to the semi-final and will take on reigning champion Gary Bunce if the latter gets past Holgate's Ged Mackie in the first round.

Beaten 2012 and 2014 finalists John Cooper and Harry Marshall pipped Norman Ellis and Pete Jackson by one shot to move into the four woods pairs semi-finals. They will play Dale Phillips and Andy Bailey, who overwhelmed the South Bank pair Alan May and Graham Perkins.

Steve Lea and John Crowe, winners in 2012 and runners-up in 2013, prevailed by the narrowest of margins against reigning champions Jeff Dobbin and Steve Cain, who couldn't bridge the deficit despite scoring a four on the last end.

In the vets four woods pairs, John Cooper and Harry Marshall - beaten finalists in 2012 and 2013 - will be hoping to go one better. They must overcome Poppleton Road pair Trevor Scott and Jim Dalby, who are entering the competition for the first time. Steve Lea and Don Fentiman beat last year's runners-up John Snowden and Mick Wox and now take on Terry Wheatley and Paul Milliner of St Clements in the other semi-final.

There was no change at the top of the evening league table as leaders Holgate conceded two points to bottom club South Bank and Poppleton Road took two points off second-placed Clarence.

Railway Institute won their game against Burton Lane and drew level on points with them in joint third place.