YORK will face Leeds in the Denny Plate after they lost 86-58 to Featherstone in the Denny Cup - despite having two winning rinks.

At home, Graham Instone, Ray Calpin, Mark Clarke and Dave Stroughair had the best of the opening half as they led 11-6 but, by the 14th end, they trailed 13-11 and were still 15-13 behind with four ends to play.

They won three on the trot, though, and went into the last 18-15 in front before finishing 18-16 victors.

Nigel Macdonald, Neal Macdonald, Phil Parsons and Phil Emmerson were up against an in-form Mark Hughes, who found the pace of the green straight away and led his team to a 9-1 lead after seven ends.

The home side fought back but not strongly enough to claim a win and eventually lost 19-14.

In Featherstone, Dudley Williams, Malcolm Thompson, Phil Herridge and Paul Mooring were behind for most of their game but remained within reach of the home side.

They capitalised at the end when they picked up a single on the last to finish 18-17 winners. Andy Humphreys, Chris Bishop, Tex Stevens and Graham Brooke had a tough afternoon and lost 34-8. York now play Leeds on Sunday with the game starting at 10am

A strong York team maintained their unbeaten start to the season in the North Eastern Ladies League when they beat Hornsea 85-55, picking up seven points.

At home, Judythe Williams, Tina Robinson, Sheila Turpin and Linda Harrison had an 8-6 lead after nine ends but, by the 15th, they had full control of their game as they increased their lead to 23-6 on their way to a 33-11 victory.

Brenda Love, Joan Jackson, Pauline Cooper and Melanie Brooke got off to a great start, leading 14-0 by the eighth end and finished up winning 24-8. In Hornsea, Maureen Robinson, Sue Jeffrey, Kath Pepper and Barbara Dawson had played well all game but had to hold on as they saw their 13-5 lead turn into a 15-15 draw when the home side picked up a two on the last end.

Audrey Micklethwaite, Maggie Pallister, Jean Williams and Pat Potter had been in contention throughout their match but were made to pay for dropping fours on the 18th and 19th ends to go 21-11 behind on their way to a 21-13 loss.

York Knights were beaten 78-63 in division two of the Yorkshire Over-55s League by Featherstone Sharks.

Charlie Arnett, Brian Fannon, Tony Butterfield and Allen Clapham lost their first end but then won the following 11 to lead 22-1 on their way to an emphatic 33-6 victory.

Harley Wenham, Louis Blackburn, Allan May and Ken Robinson had no luck early on as their opponents had the rub of the green and led 21-4 after 11 ends. The game changed and the home side rallied to go down 28-13.

Away, Doug Mitchell, John Headley, Derrick Clarke and Mike Snowden were 16-0 down before they got on the scoreboard with a three and eventually were defeated 24-11. Wally Darbyshire, Mal Rankeillor, Dave Clayton and Ron Munro were 9-5 down at the half-way stage but lost 20-6.

Friday sees York Vikings are in action in division one of the Yorkshire Over-55s League when they play Hornsea with the game starting at 12.30pm

On Saturday at 12pm, York & District IBC host two top matches as Yorkshire play Lincolnshire in the Liberty Trophy and their successful ladies team are in Yetton Trophy action when they take on Harrogate.