REIGNING Yorkshire Over-55s League champions York Vikings started this season's campaign in fine style as they won three out of four rinks to pick up 12 points in their opener against Redcar.

Alan Vowles, Mick Cooney, Malcolm Lewars and Tony Horobin excelled away in Redcar, picking up 10 shots over three ends to lead 22-6 after 12.

They dropped 10 shots over the next four ends but regained dominance and won the remainder for a 34-16 victory.

Malcolm Harrison, Jim Robertson, Graham Instone and Jeff Normanton lost 24-17, but, with a healthy aggregate advantage, York went on to win both home rinks.

Ken Griffiths, Barry Walker, Trevor Wilford and John Whiteley were involved in a close game and it needed a three on the last to secure the hosts a 16-14 victory.

Gordon Fennell, Alan Hampshire, Dave Dale and Phil Parsons led 9-5 after five ends and 12-8 after 10 before pulling away to win 27-18, sealing a 94-72 win overall.

The Vikings play Leeds next Friday.

Tomorrow, York's two other Over-55s League teams, the Knights and the Romans, meet each other at noon.

Meanwhile, York 'A' pipped Harrogate 38-37 in the away leg of their Yorkshire League division one opener.

Alan Vowles, Neal Macdonald, Mark Clarke and Dave Stroughair were level at 13-13 after 16 ends before scoring a five then a single to seemingly close in on victory. They dropped a four then a two as matters were levelled again, but a two gave them a 21-19 victory.

Kieran Earnshaw, Graham Brooke, John Crowe and Scott Walton trailed 16-6 after 14 ends before an excellent comeback saw them go into the last level at 17-17. However, Harrogate won the rink with a single.

The home leg will be played this Saturday at noon, the same time as York 'B' meet Doncaster in division two and York 'C' play Hornsea 'B' in division three.

The Yorkshire Ladies' League starts on Saturday and sees last season's runners-up, York, take on champions North Cave, starting at noon.

On Sunday, York face Doncaster at 10am in the first round of the Egham Trophy.