Honours were even as New Earswick and York drew 78-78 in the first derby duel of the season in the Ladies North Eastern League, though the New Earswick Ladies took seven points to York's three after winning three rinks.

At Huntington Road, Maureen Wood, Moyra Headley, June Barker and Pat Walker were coasting at 23-11 after 14 ends against Pat Bracken, Jean Williams, Mavis Puckering and Maureen Robinson before the visitors rallied for a final 27-19 scoreline.

Lys Jerrum, Peg Walker, Margaret Pearson and Margaret Blows got off to a flier leading 13-1 after eight ends before Joyce Gee, Doreen Arnett, Carrol Pink and Pat Lofthouse won seven of the following nine ends. Thereafter, only singles were scored on the remaining four ends, each side winning two, for a 19-17 home victory.

At Thanet Road, Margaret Smith, Irene Paylor, Ella Armitt and Patt Ellis were York's only victors as they swept aside Margaret Moss, Barbara Brigham, Joan Lister and Pat Lancaster 25-14. In the other rink, Clarice Johnston, Doreen Rodgers, Liz Worling and Ann Sharpley let a 16-10 lead slip against Gill Clark, Diane Hardy, Colleen Raw and Dot Kay, who came back to win the next five ends before winning 18-17.

However, York got off to a winning start in their Yorkshire Over-55's League division one campaign when they beat Hornsea 81-73 on aggregate, picking up 12 points.

At home, Fred Clayden, Barry Walker, Noel Cammidge and Ken Patterson had an outstanding 34-9 win, including 15 shots in the last six ends. Peter Littlewood, Alwyn Redhead, Tom Ellis and Doug Mitchell had a harder time but came through with a match-winning single on the last end.

At Hornsea, York lost both rinks - Eric Hodgson, Dave McCowan, Mike Pearce and Ken Hutson pipped 22-21, while Frank Turner, Tex Stevens, Ken Lewington and Dudley Williams crashed 26-9.

York's second division ranks were beaten by Doncaster.

On away-duty, Tony Bryan, Ian Teasdale, Peter Czarnobaj and Charlie Arnett had an excellent 20-14 victory, though Keith Turner, John Berridge, John McCarthy and Norman Vause lost 19-6 in a duel closer than reflected by the final margin of victory.

At home, Alwyn Johnson, Mick Smith, Bill Hunter and Colin Sharpley picked up York's only point when they levelled at 19-19 with a single on the last end.

Dennis Haw, Don Tyson, Alan Clapham and Harley Wenham were level at 10-10 after 11 ends but then fell away as Doncaster prevailed 25-13.

Updated: 11:13 Thursday, October 09, 2003