TITLE chances were blown by both York Indoor Bowls Club’s Yorkshire League sides.

The ‘A’ team crashed to bottom club Selby in division one, while the ‘B’-team bid to stay in the hunt for the end of season third division Challenge Cup was blighted by a reverse against Leeds.

The game against Selby saw Tony Longfield’s side winning four of the last six ends to go from 14-14 to beat Malcolm Thompson’s team 26-16.

York’s only saving grace at home came from Phil Emmerson’s side. They won all but two of the last eight ends to go from 10-10 to a 19-14 conquest of the side led by John Phillips.

In Selby, Ron Wood’s side pulled away from a close game which stood at 15-13 in their favour to beat Paul Mooring’s rink 20-13 thanks to a brace of twos and a single.

Dave Stroughair’s team edged out Barry Roberts’s side with a single after they had gone into their last end level at 16-16.

Selby collected 14 points, ten more than the York haul.

York slipped out of contention for the third division crown after the 73-66 loss to Leeds.

York had only one winning rink – that of Eric Hodgson, who went from 10-0 up after only four ends to win 30-16.

Had they, and not Leeds, bagged a four they would have levelled the aggregate scores, but Leeds amassed the four haul.

Geoff Walker’s team were left on the back foot when stumbling from 3-3 to 11-3 down. They lost 21-14.

Away, both teams paid for slow starts.

Alan Clapham’s team trailed 8-1 after six ends. They got back to 10-8 down but could not further inroads and lost 19-11.

Tony Hopcutt’s team cut an 8-2 deficit to 9-6 but fell away to lose 21-11.

Back in the first division, New Earswick IBC suffered a disappointing defeat to title chasers Selby with only one winning rink.

That belonged to the rink headed by Gary Jones. They took the lead for the first time with a single on the 20th end when they were in the middle of a five-end winning run to triumph 18-16.

Dave Elcock’s team led 7-1 after seven ends but the rink of Bill Avery countered to lead 20-7 en route to a 22-11 victory.

In Selby, Brian Birch’s team won the first five ends to lead 6-0 but by the 18th trailed 15-14 and were eventually beaten 22-14.

Gordon Storey’s team scored eight shots over the last four ends but the damage had already been done as Brian Smith’s team won 28-13.

Selby are seven points behind leaders Leeds whom they play on Saturday, while York meet Scarborough and New Earswick take on Hornsea, both at noon.