YORK'S hopes of reaching a fourth consecutive Yetton Trophy finals day disappeared - after they had put themselves in a winning position in their quarter-final tie against Spalding.

The game was played at the neutral venue of South Forest IBC, Mansfield, and as expected was close.

Spalding led 21-16 on aggregate after five ends and 38-36 after ten but, with three to play, York had turned things round and led 58-55, only to have a disappointing run-in and finish losing 73-64.

Dot Kennelly, Sue Tomlinson, Melanie Brooke and Linda Harrison put in a top performance to lead 15-6 after 15 ends, but a single to their opponents on the 16th preceded a five on the next then a two on the last, for the final advantage to be reduced to 15-14.

Joan Jackson, Carol Banks, Helen Wood and Carol Instone were having a tough time, 14-4 down after nine ends, before turning their game round by winning all but one of the next eight ends to go into the last with a 17-16 lead.

They had to settle for a draw, though, as Spalding levelled with a single.

Zoe Eagles, Lynda Parker, Sheila Turpin and Helen Walker came from 7-0 down to lead 8-7 then from 11-8 down to lead 12-11. However, they then found themselves 17-12 down and, on this occasion, time ran out as a three on the last was not enough as they lost 17-15.

Maureen Walker, Betty Richardson, Hayley Robinson and Sue Allen did well to come from 9-7 down to lead 16-11 but then dropped a three, a six and a four to fall 24-16 down with two to play. The game disappointingly ended 25-17.

York's disappointment in the Yetton was countered by their progress into the country's last 32 in the Mason Trophy, beating North Cave.

They were level at 8-8 after five ends but moved 21-14 in front after ten and held the advantage to the end for a 35-25 result.

It was the away rink who kept the momentum going with an excellent performance, as Dot Kennelly, Maureen Walker, Helen Walker and Linda Harrison made the most of a great start.

They won five of the first seven ends to lead 14-3 then, as the home side were slowly clawing back, they won five on the trot to go from 15-9 to 23-9 and finished 23-10.

At home, Joan Jackson, Carol Banks, Melanie Brooke and Carol Instone came from 5-0 down to lead 6-5 but then dropped six shots over the next three ends.

They were tied at 12-12 with two ends to play and made sure they did not drop any big shots as they preserved the aggregate score and finished losing 15-12.

York now meet Ferryhill on February 17.

Today at 12.30pm, York entertain Lincoln in the Vivienne Trophy last 16 stage.

On Saturday at noon, York play Doncaster in the Yorkshire Ladies League while the men meet Redcar in Yorkshire League division one and their 'B' team play Harrogate in division two.