THE rink of York RI Amateurs ace David Dearlove lifted the Eric Wilkinson Open Triples trophy for the first time after beating Pat Lawry's Kirkbymoorside trio in the final at York RI Bowling Club.

Dearlove, alongside Lesley Dearlove and Alan Price, having come through group stages and knockout rounds, marched to a 9-2 success in the final.

A full complement of teams from York and the surrounding area had started out in the two-bowl triples comp, which was being held for a fourth time.

After the morning’s group stages had been completed, the main competition saw teams from RI Amateurs, York RI Corinthians, Holgate WMC, Bootham, Kirkbymoorside and Driffield line up for the quarter-finals.

The most dramatic of the four ties involved Dearlove and Price, who defeated Phil Reeves’ triple by a single shot on an extra end after the sides had ended their match tied on shots.

Joining Dearlove’s triple in the last four were teams led by Geoff Eagles, Lawry and Paul Miliner.

For Dearlove, the semi-final proved less dramatic as they beat Eagles' team 7-3, while Lawry’s Kirkby crew defeated Miliner’s triple 8-6 in a tight game.

The plate final was contested by Andy Brookes, Neal and Nigel Macdonald, of RI Corinthians, and Paul Craven, Ray Wynn and Jamie Vaughan, of West Park.

In an intriguing tussle, Macdonald’s side finished the stronger to win 8-4.

* THE final of the York Super 7s tournament will take place tonight between Mix N Match and Haxby Road Rockets.

Mix N Match, a team from York RI, beat Holgate Clubbers 6-2 away from home in the semi-finals while the Rockets, last year's finalists, won 8-0 at Railway Institute Cougars.

Matches in this tournament comprise two pairs matches and a triples tie.

The final will be at Railway Institute, starting at 5.45pm. Spectators are welcome.

* YORK & District Indoor Bowls Club hold their annual general meeting this evening, starting at 7pm.

The Thanet Road club became national champions in the Mason Trophy this year as well as winning numerous titles in the county leagues.

They will also announce a successful financial year which has enabled them to freeze their annual membership fees at £40 and green fees at £1.50 per hour. They are also in a position to carry on running activities such as boccia, bowling for people with disabilities and short matt.

Meanwhile, following the success of their previous open days, York IBC are running another two this Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm. All equipment will be provided and coaching will be free.