York Indoor Bowls Club lost out in the final of the Yorkshire Double Rinks competition played at New Earswick IBC despite being unbeaten in the group matches.

In an opening duel with the host club, a New Earswick rink led by Barry Johnson thwarted Dave Stroughair’s team when they scored a two on the last end to draw 10-10.

But the York rink headed by Paul Mooring edged out that of Earswick’s Ralph Tiplady’s 9-6.

In their second game, New Earswick beat Scarborough 19-18 picking up four points but were unlucky not to collect the maximum six after Johnson’s side dropped a two on their last end to go down 9-8. Tiplady’s team notched a two on the last end to win 11-9.

York won their second game 34-10 against Redcar to collect maximum points.

Mooring’s side had an impressive 24-2 victory winning all but one end, while Stroughair’s team won 10-8 after trailing 5-2.

The last group matches saw York needing to win one rink to make the final. They won both in a 25-21 victory over Scarborough.

New Earswick completed a successful day with another victory, 25-12 against Leeds to seal second place in section ‘A’.

David Sykes’ team rallied from 4-3 down to win 13-4. Brian Gray’s won 12-8 after surging 7-0 up after only three ends.

Featherstone recovered from a 29-13 thrashing by Thornaby in their section ‘B’ opener to beat Redcar 30-16 and Hornsea 37-14.

When Thornaby crashed 41-15 to Redcar that set up a York clash against Feathestone in the final.

Despite having to make three changes for the showdown, York were in contention after eight ends as Stroughair’s team led 5-4 and Mooring’s were level at 7-7.

But the game changed as Mooring’s side dropped eight shots over the next three ends which put the aggregate score at 20-13 going into the last ends.

It proved too big a gap. Stroughair dropped a single to draw 6-6 and Mooring lost 15-8.