HOLDERS York were dethroned by Featherstone in the Hebden Challenge Cup.

North Cave finished in third place and Selby in fourth.

York started well in their first game against Selby and had two winning rinks and one drawn.

Eric Hodgson’s team made the most of a good start where they led 9-0 after five ends. Despite Brian Smith’s team winning the last two ends, the damage had already been done and the York side won 15-8.

George Mansell’s team were leading 7-5 after eight ends, but Brian Thomas’ side came back to win 12-8.

Tom Grasby’s team led 10-6 with two ends to play, but Tony Bryan’s side came back to clinch a draw.

Featherstone easily disposed of the hosts North Cave in their first game 44-24 winning all three rinks.

In the second round of matches, York knew they would have to beat Featherstone, but it wasn’t to be as they went down 36-27.

Only Eric Hodgson’s rink won as they only lost four ends and led from start to finish to win 14-6.

Tony Bryan’s team were made to pay for dropping seven shots between the fifth and seventh ends as they lost 16-9, while Fred Clayden’s side trailed 10-0 after six ends and went down 14-4.

Selby lost 44-34 to North Cave, winning only one rink. That was Leonard Crabb’s team, who won the last three ends to finish 14-8.

Mansell’s team went down 17-13, while Grasby’s lost 19-7.

Featherstone faced Selby in the final match and they were given their toughest game, winning 35-34.

Crabb’s team picked up five shots over the last two ends to win 15-13, while Mansell’s side won 11-10.

Brian Smith’s side picked up singles on the last two ends but lost 12-8.

York drew 39-39 with North Cave to clinch runners-up place on shots difference.

Fred Clayden’s team led 22-5 after picking up a six on the tenth end and they finished 23-13 up.

Bryan’s side went down 9-8, while Thomas’ team lost 17-8.

Meanwhile, Maureen and Barry Walker won the York and District IBC Easter Mixed Pairs for the third time after a great comeback against Haley MacDonald and Paul Humphreys.

Earlier, the two teams met in the group match and MacDonald and Humphreys won 10-3.

In the semi-finals, the Walkers overcame Carol and Graham Instone 5-4 thanks to a single on the last end.

MacDonald and Humphreys had to go into an extra end against Jenny and Ernie Darrell after the teams were tied at 6-6. A single earned them a place in the final.

In the final, MacDonald and Humphreys led 7-2, but a four gave the Walkers hope and a two on the last end sealed a 8-7 victory.

In the Plate semi-finals, the teams finishing bottom in their groups won, with Irene and Selwyn Paylor beating Ann and Colin Sharpley.

Sheila Turpin and Kevin Harris then beat Amy King and Gordon Fennell 6-2 and the Paylors ran out of steam in the final as Turpin and Harris won 15-1.

• Two more teams are urgently required to join a new triples league, which will be played in York on Sunday mornings from May to August.

Anyone interested in joining should phone organiser Ken Day on 01904 790459.


Finals countdown

York Indoor Bowls Club stage their singles finals day tomorrow, at 2pm.

The schedule includes the Senior Women’s Singles final between Melanie Brooks and Helen Walker, the Vets’ between Tony Moore and Malcolm Thompson and the Vets’ Plate between Peter Lawrence and Ray Calpin.

At 7pm, the Men’s Singles final will pit either David Stroughair or David Attwood against Paul Mooring, while there will also be the Plate final and Under-15s Singles final.

On Saturday, the Women’s Langford Pairs final starts at 1pm, along with the Men’s Simpson Pairs final.

At 6pm, the Gordon Little Trophy final and the Women’s Knockout Fours take centre stage.

On Sunday at 6pm, the men’s Knockout Triples will be held, with the Women’s Singles and the Under-25s Singles final also on the agenda.