NEW Earswick and District Indoor Bowls Club hosted the Special Olympics Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Short Mat Bowls Pairs.

Six New Earswick-based bowlers represented City of York with other competitors travelling from Pudsey and the Northern region.

A total of 20 bowlers competed across three divisions appropriate to their levels of ability.

The Division 1 contest was an all 'Northern' affair with Donny O’Shea and Shaun Hamilton the only unbeaten team.

City of York’s Colin Cartwright and Andrew Bayston were silver medalists in Division 2 - losing out only on shot difference.

Playing their first competition, City of York pair Chris Harrison and Ricky Scaife won gold in Division 3 beating club-mates Mel Thompson and Katie Douglas who had to settle for bronze.

Medals were presented by Tom Henry of Hethertons Solicitors and New Earswicks IBC’s vice chair Moira Headley.

Andy Webster, chair of Special Olympics City of York, was pleased to acknowledge that, in addition to supporting the regional competition, Hethertons had also made £500 donation towards the cost of sending City of York’s 45 athletes, coaches and supporters across seven sports to compete in the Yorkshire & Humberside team at the 2017 National Summers Games which is held in Sheffield in August.

The total cost of sending the City of York delegation is approximately £21,500 and the SOCOY Steering Group is now looking to raise 50 per cent partnership support from the York business community.

Support is encouraged at three levels; Bronze (£200), Silver (£400) and Gold (£500).

For details on how to become a 2017 SOCOY National Games supporter contact socoysecretary@gmail.com or visit www.specialolympicscityofyork.org/donate-to-help-our-athletes.