HOLDERS Scott Burrell and Josh Cahill will today step up their bid to retain their pairs crown at the 43rd York Open Bowls Tournament.

Burrell and Cahill reached today’s semi-finals with a 21-12 victory over David Newsome and Richard Lochman in the quarter-finals and a 30-3 triumph over Gordon Storey and Brian Hardcastle in round three.

Awaiting the defending champions in the last four are 2004 winner Jim Moulds, of Hull, and M Binks, who beat G Bell and Bob Howland 21-13 in the last eight.

The second semi-final sees Mike Bruce and three-time winner Alan Close take on Brian Gray and Kevin Liddell.

Bruce and Close, who won the title in 2005, 2007 and 2008 with Eric Wilkinson, beat Harry Marshall and Les Jackson 30-9 in the quarters, while Gray and Liddell came through 19-16 against Malcolm Thompson and Ray Calpin.

Reigning ladies singles 21-up champion Melanie Brooke lost 21-9 to 2006 winner Sandra Grantham in round three.

Grantham then beat C Mitchell 21-12 in the last four to book a semi-final clash with Carol Williams, who ousted 2009 runner-up Pauline Cooper 23-17 in the quarters.

Judy Abel, the winner in 2004 and 2005, booked her semi-final place with a 21-12 victory over Chris Guy in the last eight, having ousted Gill Newton 22-18 in round three.

Abel will take on Brenda Benson in the last four. Benson beat Joan Knight 21-11.

Meanwhile, Burrell moved into round two of the men’s singles 21-up with a superb comeback against P Abel in round one.

Abel led 20-15 but ended up losing 21-20, with Burrell picking up a shot on each of the last five ends.

Joining him in round two were 2004 winner Gary Bunce, Cahill, Newsome, Liddell and Ralph Tiplady.

All the semi-finals will be held today, with the finals getting under way at 1.30pm tomorrow.

The junior singles will be played at Clarence Gardens today, with registration at 10.15am for a 10.30am start.