YORK Indoor Bowls Club started their North Eastern Ladies' League campaign with an excellent 81-58 derby victory over cross-city rivals New Earswick.

York won all four rinks although the scoreline did not reflect the game, which was tight up to the closing stages.

At York, Maureen Robinson, Sue Jeffrey, Pat Bracken and Pat Potter had a slender 9-8 advantage over Doramy Bellwood, Gemma Broadhead, Annette Prosser and Monica Morgan before pulling away, winning six of the following seven ends to lead 20-10 before finishing 20-12.

Jen Brown, Chris Reaston, Pauline Armitage and Sheila Turpin were involved in a close game with Lynn Page, Kath Hardcastle, Sally Domville and Majorie Watson which saw singles scored on all the ends apart from the first and the last two.

The visitors opened an 11-8 lead on the penultimate end thanks to a two only for the hosts to strike back with a seven to win 15-11.

At New Earswick, York's Ann Donaldson, Sheila Clargo, Jean Williams and Pauline Cooper, helped by a six and a five, led Moira Ellis, Jean Cann, Carol Williams and Norma Davies 18-11.

Earswick pulled ack to 18-16 with three to play, but York again ruined their hopes by winning them all to take the game 24-16.

Earswick's Denise Elliot, Lesley Nuckey, Margaret Morga and Irene Warrington opened with a six against Joan Jackson, Barbara Saville, Kath Pepper and Linda Harrison and led 16-6 after 11 ends.

But they scored only three more shots over the last seven ends whereas York picked up two sixes, including one on the penultimate end, as they won 22-19.

York Knights won their second game of the Yorkshire Over-55s League division two season after a tense finish.

The Thanet Road side edged Thornsea Hawks 87-85, securing 10 of the 14 points at stake.

At home, Harley Wenham, Dave Holder, Ray Calpin and Malcolm Thompson led 17-6 after 12 ends en route to a 28-14 victory.

Pete Waring, Gordon Walker, Phil Reeves and Pete Bradley had a tough afternoon but, importantly for the aggregate, picked up six shots while only dropping one over the last three ends to finish losing 29-17.

Away, Charlie Arnett, Allen Clapham, Ray Clark and Eric Hodgson came from 10-9 down to lead 26-13, winning 10 out of 12 ends, and triumphed 26-15.

Colin Robinson, Mal Rankeillor, Barry Walker and Geoff Walker fought back to 14-13 down after a single then a five but could not capitalise and lost 27-16.

Tomorrow, at noon, York Vikings complete their Yorkshire Over-55s League division one fixture against Redcar and York Romans complete their division two game against North Cave Yellow.

On Saturday, York meet New Earswick in the Denny Cup, and York Ladies start their Yetton Trophy campaign against Harrogate, both starting at noon.

On Sunday, York meet Hornsea in the National Top Club, a contest which features ladies' and gents' singles, mixed pairs, mixed triples and mixed fours.