YORK VIKINGS’ hopes of retaining the Yorkshire Over 55’s League division one title disappeared as they were beaten 71-70 by champions elect Featherstone Jets.

The Vikings got off to a slow start and, after ten ends, were 41-27 down. However, they pulled back to lead 63-62 with three to play only to be outdone by one shot.

At home, Tony Hopcutt, Trevor Wilford, Malcolm Lewars and Tony Horobin were 8-0 up with four ends played but Horobin’s team came back to 11-6 before the home side took control and picked up ten shots over the following four ends before holding on for a 23-18 victory as Featherstone won five out of the last seven ends.

Dave Dale, Andy Humphreys, Jim Robertson and Graham Instone had a difficult start - which saw them trailing 9-0 after five ends - but they clawed themselves back into the game, dropping no more than a single on only one end and going into the last 16-14 down before gaining a deserved draw with a two.

Away, Alan Vowles, Allan Clapham, Malcolm Harrison and Graham Brooke were struggling up to the 13th end when the score stood at 18-3 in favour of the home side. They came back well and won all but the last end where they dropped a two to lose 20-13.

Ray Calpin, Chris Bishop, Eric Hodgson and Geoff Walker had a brilliant start as they won the first six ends to lead 8-0 before the home side came back to lead 9-8. But Walker`s men were in good form and picked up a four on the 15th end to lead 15-13 and eventually won 18-17.

The Vikings need to secure a maximum points victory against relegation threatened New Earswick Falcons in their last game to have any chance of making the end-of-season Challenge Cup.

York’s chances of winning the North Eastern League took a blow as they lost 97-70 to Selby and picked up only two points.

York’s only success came from Joan Knight, Sue Jeffrey, Kath Pepper and Sheila Turpin who led from start to finish against Jane Simpson`s side to win 24-15.

Janet Walker, Janet McManus, Maggie Pallister and Pauline Cooper were staring at a heavy defeat as Carol Sarven’s team led 22-10 but won the last four ends to go down only 22-18.

In Selby, Ann Donaldson, Eva Snarr, Jean Williams, and Sue Kirkpatrick were tied with Sue Williamson’s team 16-16 with three ends to play after scoring a four and a single but dropped a two and a four before scoring a consolation single as they lost 22-17.

Michelle Ellis, Jenny Darrell, Bar Saville, and Pauline Armitage were leading 5-4 before Cynthia Wright’s team went on the rampage and scored 21 shots over seven ends to set them on their way to a 38-11 victory.