YORK Indoor Bowls Club remain top of the Yorkshire Ladies League after they beat Scarborough 72-57 thanks to three winning rinks, picking up eight points from the 10 at stake.

At home, Jean Williams, June Ogden, Sheila Turpin and Melanie Brooke trailed 8-6 after seven ends before a single, six, two then another single gave them a comfortable advantage which they did not let slip as they finished winning 21-13.

Maureen Robinson, Maureen Walker, Pauline Armitage and Helen Walker led from start to finish but had to fend off a late rally from their opponents as they let a 16-7 lead turn into a 16-12 advantage going into the last end. A single secured them the two points.

In Scarborough, Joan Jackson, Jen Brown, Betty Richardson and Carol Instone dropped a three on their first end but won 11 of the following 13 to lead 23-6 with four to play and finished with an impressive 25-11 victory.

Carol Banks, Pat Potter, Sue Kirkpatrick and Linda Harrison were on the wrong side of a tight game which saw singles and twos scored on all but three of the ends played, and lost 21-9.

York Knights made Yorkshire Over-55s League division two runaway leaders Harrogate fight all the way for their victory.

They trailed by 12 shots from the away leg. Charlie Arnett, Allen Clapham, Trevor Scott and Eric Hodgson lost their game 31-10 but Doug Mitchell, Bill Carter, Pete Bradley and Geoff Walker put in a great performance to go from 7-6 to 19-7 up in the space of seven ends before finishing 20-11.

At home, both rinks reduced the aggregate arrears to only four shots and a shock looked on the cards.

However, Harrogate rallied and took the game 80-72.

Harley Wenham, Dave Holder, Ray Clark and Malcolm Thompson led 7-0 early on before their opponents pulled the score back to 11-10. Thompson's men put in a great finish to win 25-11.

Colin Robinson, Mal Rankeillor, Barry Walker and Tex Stevens led 6-2 but by the 13th end the scores were tied at 13-13 and the away team put in a final burst to win 27-17.

Tomorrow, Mason Trophy holders York start the defence of their crown with a game against North Cave, starting at noon.

Then at 1pm York play their annual festive fixture against the Yorkshire Patrons.

On Saturday, York battle on two fronts with the men playing Durham in the Denny Cup at 10am and the ladies meeting Lincoln in the Yetton Trophy at 11am. On Sunday at 2.30pm, York take on Nottingham outfit Erewash.