THE York Amateur Bowling Association representative team retained the George Williams Trophy after beating their York Club & Institute Union counterparts.

YABA won the trophy for the first time in five years 12 months ago and triumphed 123(and two thirds)-102 this time.

After a week of inclement weather, everyone was relieved that the match, although played in cloudy conditions, was uninterrupted by rain. Despite the wintry conditions, the Railway Institute groundstaff had the green in tip-top condition.

CIU had the best of the early exchanges with a slender lead after seven ends which they increased to 17 at the 14th.

But YABA then took control.

Vic Thompson's rink, playing a man short and having been nine shots down, won six of the last seven ends to win by one and three-quarter shots.

Alan Smith's rink were leading CIU's John Cooper by just one shot after 13 ends but they also then went on to take six of the last seven to win comfortably by 13 shots.

In the battle of the presidents, CIU's Terry Wheatley had a five-shot lead after 12 ends but then stuck on unlucky 13 while John Butler's rink won five ends in a row to take the lead and run out eventual winners by two shots.

Peter Watson skipped CIU's only successful rink, winning 24 shots to 20 against Dave Preece.

The cup was presented by CIU Bowls League secretary Mal Dewhirst to John McCarthy, YABA president for the 2016 season.

Meanwhile, Wigginton Bowling Club's "come and try" day proved successful.

They began their outdoor season with a traditional bowls drive, in which members played for the Spring Trophy.

The winner was Bruce Dobson, while the spider event on the same day was won by Charles Agg.

The club's extensive league fixture programme starts in earnest next week.