YORKSHIRE Bowling Association’s Under-25 side were in action at the Regional Finals of the White Rose Trophy at Kirkbymoorside BC.

Pitted against Northumberland in the semi-final, and in the knowledge that two wins would secure the county’s first ever qualification to the National Finals in the competition’s current format, Yorkshire began tentatively.

Josh Minto took on the rink of Kieran Earnshaw (Holgate WMC), James Bateson, Liam Creaser and Jack Bird, succumbing to an early 7-1 deficit.

Yorkshire’s other rink, led by team captain Scott Walton and featuring James Dilks, Joe Dadd and Jamie Smith, were engaged in a seesaw battle.

However, a spirited run of 15 shots saw Bird establish a 16-12 advantage and Walton a 12-9 lead.

By 18 ends, Yorkshire were six shots ahead, and Minto’s 26-21 victory over Bird’s rink wasn’t enough as Walton held on to win 19-13 and net a 40-39 victory.

That put the young Tykes into the Regional Final against Lincolnshire, who established a 20-1 advantage over Bird’s rink, while Walton was level with Jordon Philpott.

Yorkshire couldn’t recover and eventually conceded to end their campaign for another year.

The news wasn’t much better for the senior Yorkshire side who travelled to Durham in the Middleton Cup knowing only a victory would keep their hopes alive.

A solid start was spoilt only by the rink of Paul Humphreys (York RI Amateurs), who were quickly behind and remained so for the entire match while Gary Bunce’s (Haxby Road) found themselves ten shots down.

Bunce managed to bring his score back towards level which helped the rinks of Sam Winter, Mark Walton, Danny Clark and Scott Walton who were all winning or drawing at the halfway point.

However, only the rinks of Scott Walton, Winter and Clark held on for victories to leave Durham the overall victors, 16-6.